Signs of Human Slavery
4th Sunday of Lent
“Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.”Ps. 34
Human beings are often slow to recognize the state of slavery they are in because, at first glance, they feel free to do as they please, much like the prodigal son. They see people making their own choices and believe that everyone is free to decide what they do with their lives. But after a while, when we observe the reality of the world and human nature in the light of divine revelation, we realize that this is not the case, they are not free, and they do what they don’t want. We are in a state of rebellion against God, the giver of life, and to attain eternal life, we need to be in communion with Him and mend this rupture, as illustrated in the parable of the Merciful Father.
Adam and Eve were the initiators of the situation we find ourselves in today by making the grave mistake of disobeying God and listening to the devil. They chose the wrong side and were thus expelled from paradise, falling into this fragile human condition—one that is susceptible to sickness, accidents, and death, born with no knowledge, and living in near-total ignorance of eternal realities and truths.
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. But if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free.'”John 8:34
Let us look at some signs of the tyranny imposed on us by the world, the devil, and the flesh (our selfish disorder) that seek to keep us chained in sin, devoid of the life, dignity, and freedom of the children of God:
- They live worried about what others will think, subjected to the trends and dictates of the world, which is governed by the devil, the prince of this world and the father of lies.
- They are enslaved by appearances, constantly wanting to be above others, and for this, they are willing to spend fortunes and even sell their souls to the devil.
- They are subjected to the tyranny of carnal instincts, seeking satisfaction even when they don’t want to, because they neither know how nor are able to control themselves.
- They are overcome by pride, anger, envy, lust, sloth, gluttony, and all the cravings of selfish disorder, leading them to do what they don’t want to do or preventing them from doing what they truly want.
- They pursue honors, wealth, and pleasures—modern golden calves before which they bow down. By denying God, they end up chasing after any idol this world offers, just like the prodigal son.
- They are capable of stealing and even killing for money and power, as seen in dictators, human trafficking rings, drug cartels, and so on.
“Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?”Romans 6:16
LET’S OBEY OUR MERCIFUL FATHER.
The Apology
By Colleen Jurkiewicz Dorman
Mini Reflection: God doesn’t need our repentance. We need our repentance.
The Apology
I like to imagine the Prodigal Son practicing his apology in the mirror.
He wouldn’t have, of course. Mirrors weren’t exactly a dime a dozen back then. But I imagine him anyway, rehearsing the words as he contemplates his own gaunt reflection: “Father, I have sinned against God and against you. Treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”
In other words, I have done wrong. I deserve nothing from you. But please, don’t let me starve. Save me.
The apology wasn’t necessary to move the heart of the father. We know that because before they meet, before anything is said, the father is overcome with compassion—not because he got his satisfaction, that long-awaited “I’m sorry, I was wrong.” No, he’s simply overjoyed to see his son alive. Even without apology, we know the father will beg his son to stay.
So why does the son apologize?
The father doesn’t need the “I’m sorry.” He isn’t starving and lost. He knew all along it was a bad idea. He doesn’t need to learn any lessons.
But what a tragedy it would have been, if the son had never said he was sorry. Undoubtedly, his father would have let him stay as a hired worker, and he would have had food to eat. He would have survived. But he woudn’t have been what he was born to be.
I often think of the son’s apology as I am kneeling in the confessional, awkwardly reciting sins God already knows and is eager to forgive. Why are you doing this? some people would ask. God doesn’t need this.
It’s the apology, you see. The apology means everything. The Prodigal Son was dead. The apology brought him back to life.
God doesn’t need our repentance. We need our repentance.
Weekly Readings
Sunday: Jos 5:9a, 10-12/Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-(9a)/2 Cor 5:17-21/Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Scrutiny: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a/Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6 (1)/Eph 5:8-14 Jn 9:1-41 or 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38
Monday: Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2 and 4, 5-6, 11-12a and 13b Jn 4:43-54
Tuesday: Ez 47:1-9, 12/Ps 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9/Jn 5:1-16
Wednesday: Is 49:8-15/Ps 145:8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18/Jn 5:17-30
Thursday: Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-20, 21-22, 23/Jn 5:31-47
Friday: Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Ps 34:17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23/Jn 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Saturday: Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12/Jn 7:40-53
Next Sunday: Is 43:16-21/Ps 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6 (3)/Phil 3:8-14/Jn 8:1-11
Scrutiny: Ez 37:12-14/Ps 130:1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (7)/Rom 8:8-11/Jn 11:1-45 or 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45
Observances for the Week
Sunday: 4th Sunday of Lent
Tuesday: April Fools’ Day
Wednesday: April Fools’ Day
Friday: St. Isidore, Bishop and Doctor of the Church
Saturday: St. Vincent Ferrer, Priest
Next Sunday: 5th Sunday of Lent
