Title: 24th Sunday

        Today again we have a feast prepared for us. Not Fried Chicken or Fish with Maccaron and Cheese But rather the Word of God. How many times have we heard the story of the Merciful Father or the Prodigal Son (And now we can say Prodigal daughter? What difference has it made? How many times have we heard about the good Shepherd leaving the 99 sheep to look for the lost one? Would Jesus use the same story today? Could He inverse it? I believe if jesus was giving the story today he could certainly say "The good Shepherd will leave the one to seek the 99!!! Waw, is it so bad?

Dear Friends whatever the case. Today we are called to Pray and commit ourselves to Faithful Service to God. To Total Faithfulness to God. Israel after crying to God to liberate them, and He did liberate them, they turned to a Molten Calf and gave it the honor of liberating them. What a disgrace!! The Son decides to ask his father for His share of inheritance. Usually the father at the appointed time, especially when about to die called his children to give them their share of what he had generated through the grace of God and adviced them how to use this inheritance. This son does not allow this to happen. Thus he goes out without the wisdom to use the Blessings he received. In my African tradition (You must be aware that Africa is vast. So I am talking about my little area around Mt. Kilimanjaro.) A son who asked his father for a share of his wealth before the father is about to die, will be seen as if he wishes that his father dies sooner than later. That will lead to a curse to that son.

The Elder son is not better though he stays at home. He is not happy that his younger brother has learned a lesson and has turned back to his father. He is so angry (I think he wished his brother would have died) that he allienates himself. Does not join the Celebration. Jesus warns "What I am looking for is mercy not sacrifice". To claim to be near the Father all the time and to have such a selfish spirit is a contradiction. I guess that you have met people who celebrate the failure of others and curse the success of others. Please do not join them.

         I think the greatest problem facing our world today is selfishness and Self-righteousness. It has become very difficult to celebrate the success of the other. It is Failure to recognise sin and the need to conversion. In today's thinking, the only thing that stands between me and my happiness is my inability to have and to do what I want.

Let us take a moment to speak to ourselves. What brings us true Joy?. How do we feel when we hurt another Person? How do we feel when we are Forgiven? Do we seek for reconcilliation? Do we forgive? Is there anyone right now whom you think needs your forgiveness? Maybe they are affraid to approach you to ask for forgiveness? Learn from Jesus. Though he is God he did not cling to his Divinity he came to die for us for the forgiveness of our Sins. Today Jesus is calling us. "If you believe in me and My saving Death, then you must exercise the Ministy of reconciliation that I have entrusted to you. You must Celebrate God's reconciliation around the Holy Altar of the Eucharist". The Elder Son refused Just this. Paul on the other hand expresses sincere Gratitude to Merciful and Saving God, who through his grace Paul received Coversion.

"My Sacrifice, O God is a Contrite Spirit, a heart contrite and humbled....."

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