HOMILY OF SATURDAY OF THE SECOND OF LENT YEAR B
Micah 7:14-15.18-20, Luke 15:1-3.11-32
THEME: THE DANGER OF IDENTITY CRISIS
Man, often do not like to live in a normal situation. He loves gory news more than good ones. Even when he gets used to God’s benevolence, he may see his booty to be common and he begins to search for something more spectacular. We love to run from pillar to post in search of what we have in our pocket. And God, our Father, remains patient and gentle, standing, both at the start and end point of our roaming spree.
However, when we do not know our identity, when we lack the knowledge of who we are, we tend to search for life where there is no satisfaction. We may seek pleasure in food, drink, sex, and some other kind of life styles which we may think can satisfy our longings. Until we come to our senses and recognise the wealth of God’s provisions in us, our search will be futile and endless.
The story of the prodigal son is an invitation to those who get lost in the street, seeking for satisfaction in things that do not last. If God is our Father, he will always take care of us. All we need to do is to stay with him and understand the true meaning of freedom. Going out of his house will not guarantee our freedom. Freedom is to live in his house. It means knowing his laws and his ways. True happiness is found in God.
Moreover, the two sons in the gospel parable are both suffering from identity crisis. The elder brother was complaining when his brother gained his sanity. He did not see himself as a son. His complains betrayed his lack of self knowledge. “Behold these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never game me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots; you killed for him the fatted calf.” Luke 15:29-30. People who suffer from identity crisis are known for their jealousy and envy. They use their mouth to run others down. They always consider others as better or better placed than themselves. Even in their gifting, they will always see others as doing better than them. Their mouth is always as nimble as the pen of a scribe.
The elder, like some of us, got a soothing response from the Father, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead, and is alive, he was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:31-32
Hence, it serves us better knowing how endowed we are. The day we discover our own gold mine, we will stop being jealous of others. We would rather celebrate ourselves and help others to discover their own identity.
May the good Lord help us to understand how much he has blessed us. May we always be grateful for his bountiful blessings in our lives and in the lives of others. Amen.
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