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March 6, 2016

3/6/2016

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Dear Community,

In the liturgy for this 4th Sunday of Lent we read the passage from Luke, known as The Lost Son or the Merciful Father (Luke 15: 11-32). It is the story of a son who asks his father for his inheritance and leaves for a distant land, seeking to live an independent life away from his father. He is not a good steward, and he wastes his money on a bad and sinful life. As is expected with that life style, he began to face many challenges, even to the point of lacking food.

It is in that moment of difficulty in which he realizes how much he was blessed during his years at home with his father. He comes to the conclusion, “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” (Luke 15: 18-19). The father, out of his unconditional love for his son, not only forgives him but welcomes him with open arms and calls for a big celebration, “because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found” (Luke 15: 24).

As we meditate on this parable, haven’t we acted in a rebellious and selfish way at some point in our lives? Haven’t we desired an independent life away from God and his Church? Yes, moved by our rebellious hearts, often times we decide to live our own way, to stay away from the Church. Many of us also get to the point in which we realize how blessed we were while we were part of the Church and close to God.

Very often in my ministry, I listen to people coming back to the Church with a contrite heart, just like the prodigal son in the Gospel. They realized that by disconnecting themselves from the Church, they actually moved away from God.

It is also true that God is that Merciful Father who is always waiting for us with open arms. God bless you all.

Fr. Lopez

​
Estimada Comunidad,

En la liturgia de este cuarto Domingo de Cuaresma leemos el pasaje de Lucas, conocido como el hijo perdido o el Padre misericordioso (Lucas 15: 11 -32). Es la historia de un hijo que le pide a su padre su herencia y se aleja hacia una tierra distante, tratando de vivir una vida independiente lejos de su padre. Él no es un buen administrador de su dinero, y malgasta su dinero en una vida mala y pecadora. Como era de esperarse con el estilo de vida que lleva, comenzó a enfrentarse a muchos desafíos, incluso hasta el punto de carecer de alimentos.

Es en ese momento de dificultad en el que se da cuenta de lo bendecido que fue durante sus años en casa con su padre. Llega a la conclusión: "Padre, he pecado contra el cielo y contra ti. Ya no soy digno de ser llamado tu hijo; trátame como lo haría con uno de tus jornaleros "(Lucas 15: 18-19). El padre, por su amor incondicional a su hijo, no sólo lo perdona, pero le da la bienvenida con los brazos abiertos y pide una gran celebración, “Porque este hijo mío estaba muerto y ha vuelto a la vida; estaba perdido y ha sido hallado” (Lucas 15: 24).

Al meditar en esta parábola, no hemos actuado de una manera rebelde y egoísta en algún momento de nuestras vidas? ¿No hemos deseado una vida independiente lejos de Dios y de su Iglesia? Sí, movidos por nuestros corazones rebeldes, muchas veces decidimos vivir a nuestra manera, nos mantenemos alejados de la Iglesia. Muchos de nosotros también nos damos cuenta de lo bendecidos que estuvimos mientras éramos parte de la Iglesia y cerca de Dios.

Muy a menudo en mi ministerio, escucho a la gente volver a la Iglesia con un corazón contrito, al igual que el hijo pródigo en el Evangelio. Se dieron cuenta de que, al desvincularse a sí mismos de la Iglesia, en realidad se alejaron de Dios.

También es cierto que Dios es Padre misericordioso que quien siempre nos está esperando con los brazos abiertos. Dios los bendiga a todos.

​ Padre Lopez

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    Rev. Johnson Lopez

    Father Lopez is Pastor of Saint Patrick Catholic Church in Rochelle, IL.

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  • Home
  • About
    • Mission Statement
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Sacraments >
      • Eucharist
      • Baptism
      • Reconciliation
      • Confirmation
      • Marriage
      • Vocations
      • Anointing of the Sick
    • Staff
    • History
    • Registration
    • Stewardship >
      • Why give?
    • Parish Boundaries
    • Cemetery
  • Calendar
    • Parish Calendar
    • Liturgical Roles
    • Religious Education
    • Liturgical Calendar
    • Holy Days of Obligation
  • Ministries
    • Pregnant? Need Help?
    • Religious Education >
      • First Communion Pictures 2020
      • RE Handbook
      • Religious Education Volunteers
      • Confirmation 2015
      • Confirmation 2016
      • Confirmation 2018
      • Confirmation 2019
      • For Parents
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Respect Life >
      • Why We March
      • Elizabeth Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Communications
    • RCIA
    • Parish Outreach
    • Music and Liturgy >
      • Choir >
        • 3 J's and the Flock
      • Altar Servers
    • Health Apostolate >
      • Homebound Ministry
    • Knights of Columbus
  • News
    • Diocesan Appeal
    • Bulletin
    • Flocknotes
    • Daily Readings
    • Links
    • Diocese of Rockford
  • Prayer
    • Eucharistic Adoration
    • Offer a Mass