Fourth Sunday of Lent

Today the Church celebrates the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The assigned readings are Joshua 5:9A, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; and Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 34 (Psalm 34:2-7).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Psalm 34: Taste and See (Haugen setting)

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So to them Jesus addressed this parable: "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,'Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.'

"So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."'

"So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began.

"Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.'

"He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 31, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 31, 2019)

Community in Mission: There Was a Man Who Had Two Sons - A Homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent (30 MAR 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Atonement and the Prodigal Son

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception: Lenten Reflections with the Priests of the Basilica - Fourth Sunday of Lent (30 MAR 19)

The Sacred Page: A Whole New World: Readings for Laetare Sunday (26 MAR 19)

The Sacred Page: The Parable of "the Prodigal Son" (The Mass Readings Explained) (25 MAR 19)

St. Paul Center: Found Alive Again: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Lent 

Word on Fire: Theonomy (Cycle C * Lent * Week 4)

Spirituality of the Readings: Cowering (Fourth Sunday of Lent C)

In Exile: The Prodigal Son's Brother (Fourth Sunday of Lent C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: The Ministry of Reconciliation (Fourth Sunday of Lent C)

The Word Engaged: Lost and Found (Fourth Sunday of Lent C)

Historical Cultural Context: Forgiven (Fourth Sunday of Lent C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by John Chrysostom (Fourth Sunday of Lent C)