March 14th (3.07.15), Saturday, Second Week of Lent

Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20, Psalm 103: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12, Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

The Prodigal Son

Here is a story we have heard many times, and as I think about it, depending upon what is happening in my own life at the time, I can imagine myself in the role of the father, the younger son or the older one.

The very day my assigned reading for this booklet came from St. Raymond’s, my adult son who had been living on his own, returned to my home, his van packed with all of his belongings pulled into my driveway. A turn of events brought to me a young man who I had urged out just months ago, and now was back.

Could I be the loving parent, embracing his return? I knew I couldn’t throw a party…but how could I welcome him, open my heart to him, discouraged and seeking my support, one more time. I thought about how I can be tired, discouraged, lonely and vulnerable on my own journey, I can think of the Father, always there, ready to embrace, love and not question. God is ok with who I am…better than ok….could I be there with my son?

Or would I be the elder son….questioning, judging, resenting his return? I asked God to help me see my son as God sees him.

And sometimes I am that younger son…I go out on my own, make my mistakes, think I am in control, traveling, working, dealing with everyday life, seeking what is not mine, forgetting that I belong to God. I can then feel tired, broken, come back looking for a ‘home’, a place where I feel safe, loved, and affirmed. And God can be there for me, to lean into, to love, affirm and embrace me.

God is there for me, no matter. I can be the younger son, making mistakes, selfish, indulging, living life as I choose, or the older son, working hard, trying to impress with commitment and hard work. Either way, God loves me no more, no less. God just loves me! Knowing this, I can live in freedom!

And in the end, when I pass from this life to the next, I like to think that the Father will be waiting, with open arms, welcoming me home, saying, “Val, you are here! I have been waiting for you. Come! The others who have loved you are here and we have planned a grand celebration!”

Valerie Yokie, widow, mother of 2 adult children, a son and a daughter, and is a Mary Kay Sales Director.