"Reconciliation Leads to Rejoicing" - 4th Sunday of Lent Homily

Reconciliation leads to rejoicing.

It's Rejoicing Day in the Church, Laetare Sunday.

Laetare is Latin for rejoice.

Halfway through Lent, we've been doing the work of reconciliation and preparing for full rejoicing at Easter.

It's rejoicing in the readings today.

First the Israelites coming out of Egypt and slavery.

The Lord says that he's done his part of reconciliation.

He removed the reproach of Egypt.

The darkness and stain and wounds of slavery brought them into freedom, rolled them into freedom.

They go to this country from the desert to Gilgal, this agricultural country, and Gilgal means rolling.

So it's emphasized they've rolled into freedom, and they celebrate, they rejoice.

with Passover.

Of course, the Gospel, this big feast, this big banquet that the Father hosts at his Son's return celebrating reconciliation with the Son who had wandered off.

Now I know that the banquet is a little over the top, but it's to represent the rejoicing in heaven at deep reconciliation like this.

This is how heaven rejoices after every confession in the Church.

And sometimes after a big confession or if it's been a long time since someone's confessed, I will cite one of my favorite lines in all the gospel.

Jesus says, there's more rejoicing in heaven.

when one sinner repents and over 99 righteous people who have no need of repentance.

And I'll say to the person, there's a big party in heaven tonight because you've come back and reconciled with God.

St.

Paul tells us to be reconciled with God.

And he mentions this ministry of reconciliation.

Which if you've ever doubted confession, as is legit, like I'm going to talk to a priest, and yet the Church says you're going to talk to Jesus.

Well think about it for a second, this ministry of reconciliation, Jesus came to reconcile us with the Father, the ultimate peacemaker, reconciling us with God.

Do you think this reconciliation is only available for three years in all of human history?

It doesn't make sense unless he passed it on.

And it continues in the Church through his priests.

We believe firmly that when the words are said, I absolve you of your sins, there's the words of Christ through his priests.

And as a priest called to this ministry, it's one of the greatest joys and intimidating parts to step into that role.

and to reconcile people with God.

But it's all about mercy.

This parable is an image of confession.

It's all about mercy.

The Father is an image of God the Father.

And He's all about mercy.

Can you imagine if it was different?

If Jesus told this parable and the Father was like the older son, completely sour to the other son's return?

No compassion, no mercy.

my gosh.

We would be in trouble.

But it's the opposite.

As soon as he catches sight of his son coming back to reconcile, to repent, to acknowledge his sin and ask for forgiveness, he is filled with compassion and grates him.

and celebrates his return with strong language.

He was lost, now found.

He was dead, now alive.

His psalmist far gone and squandered his own inheritance that he worked hard for.

And he comes back like you and me having sinned against God.

And that's God, the Father, embracing us in Christ and through the priest.

Someone asked me, how do I prepare to hear confessions?

is prayer.

It's that prayer to put on the mind of Christ, to put on the heart of the Father, to be filled with compassion and mercy at the first sight of someone coming back to be welcomed

back.

So if someone says to me, it's been many years, Father, the first thing I say is welcome back in confession.

I got mocked when I was ordained.

Rightfully so.

I said I was available for confession 24-7.

Whoa.

It means I'm always available as a minister of mercy.

We have this message of reconciliation based in mercy.

And when you and I approach a situation involving reconciliation, and it takes two, this is where it gets really stressful and there's normally a lot of drama with us reconciling

with God or family or friends or adversaries.

We're stressed about what the response is going to be from the other side.

And we put so much work into it and so much blood, sweat, and tears.

And then if they're open and responsive, very positively and compassionately, mercifully, and we reconcile, getting on the other side of that is great rejoicing.

Just had this experience last week with my family.

It seemed like things were getting a little sideways with all that's been going on in my family, all the drama, all the tough sadness.

And then we had a meal last week and I'm like, everything's okay.

I was so happy driving back.

It's not a big banquet with food and drink, but internally it's that huge celebration in our hearts.

Breathe again.

And everything's good.

Actually, it's better than it was before.

This is what Jesus came into the world for.

Gave his life for.

This mission of mercy.

We celebrate his sacrifice for reconciliation in every Eucharist and reminds us that he wants us on his mission of mercy.