The Gatlin Brothers: "The Prodigal Son"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of The Gatlin Brothers presenting "The Prodigal Son":

 

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 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: Spirit & Psalm 2025 – Lent 4 – Psalm

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 related to these readings:

Benedictine College: This Sunday, 'Our Father' and the Prodigal Son: 5 Takeaways for the 4th Sunday of Lent (27 MAR 25)

Word on Fire: The Heavenly Banquet (Cycle C * 4th Week * Lent) 

The Pilot: Echoes: Deacon Greg Kandra: Scripture Reflection for March 30, 2025, Fourth Sunday of Lent (26 MAR 25)

Rhode Island Catholic: The Quiet Corner: The everyday availability of God to the average believer must never be discounted (27 MAR 25)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of the assistance of family members during challenging/difficult times.

Lucia Silecchia on a Gift for Ordinary Time

"Every year, when I flip my calendar to December, thoughts of Christmas overwhelm me with anticipation of the joys to come and the great gift of Christ's Nativity.

"Yet, when I open that same calendar to the month of March, my initial thought has not been, 'Yeah! The Solemnity of the Annunciation is on March 25th!' There are no cards or gifts, and merely a handful of hymns dedicated to this occasion. . . .

"I have asked myself why I do not give the Solemnity of the Annunciation its due."

In a recent commentary, writer/Professor Lucia A. Silecchia reflected on how the Solemnity of the Annunciation is a particularly sacred time to contemplate the true wonder of God's incarnation and, during the Lenten season, to contemplate why He did. this

To access Professor Silecchia's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Lucia A. Silecchia: A gift for Ordinary Time (26 MAR 25)

Reflection Starter from Pope Francis

"Even if our past seems burdensome, complicated, and perhaps even ruined, we can always give it to God and set out anew on our journey. God is merciful, and He always waits for us!" - Pope Francis

The Four Preps: "Calcutta"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of The Four Preps presenting "Calcutta":

 

Onthe Hiddenness of God, Facing Death with Joy, and Other Catholic-related Topics

A number of articles/posts have recently been published on a variety of Catholic-related subjects worth considering.

To access some of these, please visit:

Catholic Culture: The Catholic Role in the American Founding (28 MAR 25)

Benedictine College: Media & Culture: Marriage Means Everything: Two Men Learned Too Late What Research Has Shown (20 NOV 24)

The Catholic Thing: Spiritually Toxic News (29 MAR 25)

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: Speakers: Church has role in fight against AI-generated exploitation (20 MAR 25)

Word on Fire The Hiddenness of God and Seeking Signs

National Catholic Register: Blogs: John Grondelski: Hagar, Heartache, Abraham and the Child Problem (23 MAR 25)

New Advent How to Face Death with Joy - From a Guy Who Stares at a Graveyard Every Morning (26 MAR 25)

National Catholic Register: Blogs: Jack Figge: Mary Magdalene’s Hometown Along the Shores of the Sea of Galilee (22 MAR 25)

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of farm workers.

A Saint's Mercies Still Flourish

March 8th [was] the Feast of Saint John of God, who founded the Order of Hospitallers, later called the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God. Born in Portugal on March 8, 1495, John was raised by devout and loving Catholic parents. However, tragedy struck the family when John was kidnapped at the age of eight, and he was later abandoned to a life of homelessness in a remote part of Spain, where he found work for many years as a shepherd.

When he was 22 years old, John joined the army of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and served as a foot soldier for the next 18 years of his life. It is said that during these years he developed a brutal and greedy manner.  But after his regiment disbanded, he made a pilgrimage along the "Way of Saint James," arriving at Santiago de Compostela, where he repented and dedicated his life to serving God.

When he finally returned to Portugal, John discovered that his mother had died of a broken heart after losing him, and his father subsequently joined a monastery. John was institutionalized for a brief time after he was found beating himself in public and begging for mercy for his past sins. It was only after a visit from John of Avila, who advised him to focus on helping others rather than punishing himself, that he was able to move on with his life and dedicate himself to helping those in need.

John turned his home into a hospital, homeless shelter, and halfway house, and many of the people he served eventually joined him in his charitable efforts. When anyone questioned his character based on his past, John would readily admit his faults and simply give glory to God for being granted the grace to turn his life around.

One day, John jumped into a freezing river to save the life of a drowning man. Soon after, John lay dying of pneumonia in one of the very beds he'd used in the past for those in his care. When he received a visit from the Bishop of Granada, who came to administer Last Rites, John raised three concerns with the bishop: 1) that he had not done enough with the graces that God had bestowed upon him; 2) that those in his care might be treated badly in his absence; and 3) that those to whom he owed money might suffer due to his lack of repayment.

The bishop assured him not to worry about these things, at which point John rose from his bed to kneel before a crucifix, where he died in prayer with his face pressed against the figure of Christ on March 8, 1550, the day of his 55th birthday.

Today, the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God are active in 53 countries with tens of thousands of benefactors supporting the work of over 45,000 members, brothers, and co-workers serving sick and needy people.

It is amazing to consider all that has flourished from the seeds of kindness planted by the works of Saint John of God. May we be blessed to recognize the same seeds of greatness at work in our own lives in each act of compassion we show to one another - and may those seeds grow and flourish in our families and communities just like the legacy of John of God continues to grow and flourish in the Brothers Hospitallers who follow in his footsteps today.

This essay is a recent "Light One Candle" column by Father Ed Dougherty, M.M., The Christophers' Board of Directors ; it is one of a series of weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current events.

Background information:

The Christophers

Reflection Starter from St. Augustine

"Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature." - Saint Augustine of Hippo

Antonín Dvořák: "A Hero's Song"

It's time for some classical music. This is a presentation of Antonín Dvořák's A Hero's Song, Op. 111, as played by the Prague Radio Symphony Orchestra, conducted by František Macek:

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which You help us discern Your Will in our lives.