Greg Friedman, OFM

The knowledge and perspective we bring to any experience determines how we feel about that experience. Lent is a time to alter our way of looking at ourselves and our world. What surprises await us this week as we re-orient ourselves based on our coming to know Jesus Christ?

The Gospel story today is the familiar one of the prodigal son, better titled “The Father Who Couldn’t Forget.” There our God is portrayed as the parent who waited day after day for his errant child to return.

Jesus says all of us must be “reform-minded.” We all have opportunities to turn from sin and accept God’s love. It’s what baptism commits us to do.

In our Christian communities this season, we’re preparing with those who will be baptized at Easter. Let’s reaffirm our own Christian commitment as we pray and fast with them.

As we hear of the Lord’s temptations in the desert, let’s let this very human portrait of Jesus remind us of how we’re called to respond in times of temptation: To depend upon God’s grace and allow it to support and sustain us.

Be creative in what you choose as external Lenten practices, but be certain they lead you to conversion in speech and action from a renewing heart.