Mercy Triumphs: Weekly Homilies of a Catholic Priest

I find this particular parable from Jesus to be one of the most comforting because it reminds me of Jesus’ mercy for me personally; that, although I am far from perfect, and a great sinner, Jesus is so happy to forgive me. And I hope that all who hear this gospel passage can feel the same way.   …It is so easy to condemn ourselves, especially when we don’t yet realize how deeply Jesus’ heart burns with mercy for us. Saint Therese of Lisieux put it this way. She wrote in her autobiography: “Even if I had on my conscience every crime one could commit, I would lose nothing of my confidence; I would go, my heart broken with sorrow, and throw myself into the arms of my Savior[ because] I know how much He loves the prodigal child who returns to Him.” Through Jesus’ parable, He also gives us warnings against two things: (1) Pride: Thinking we’re good enough; and (2) Presumption: Believing our sins don’t matter. For example, the Pharisee clearly struggles with pride; he really though...

HBO had a 10-episode mini-series entitled The Young Pope, starring Jude Law. I’m not endorsing it, but there was one scene that I think speaks directly to today’s readings. In an episode, the pope asks a nun why she doesn’t like going back to visit her home in India. She answers: Because all the suffering she sees there makes her question God’s existence. …We know that suffering is a problem, not just because none of us wants it, but because it can shake our faith.  Some experience suffering far worse than others but, all of us, whether in our own lives or on television, see enough of it to tempt us to ask the question: “Where is God?” Or, “Does God even exist?” And, you know who may have had the strongest reasons to ask those questions but never did? Mary, the Blessed Mother. Watching her innocent Son tortured, nailed to a piece of wood, stripped and mocked in public; if anyone could have asked, “Does God even exist if this can happen,” it was her. But, again, she didn’t. A...