Yesterday, I presented a day-long retreat on the Parable of the Prodigal Son to a group of friends and alumni of the Aquinas Institute of Theology, where I received my training in spiritual direction and now serve as a trustee.
I ended the day with this new prayer of blessing, a reminder of the four important life lessons embedded in the parable that lead to a deeper understanding and experience of God’s extravagant love for us — Stop. Turnaround. Be reconciled. Change.
As you head into these final weeks of lent, remember it’s not too late to do something that may change you forever.
May God bless us in our stopping, in our listening to a gentle inner voice that says: “Enough! This is not the way.” That says: “You know better than this. There is no life in this. Stop doing what you hate and what destroys.”
May God bless us in our turning, in the effort it takes to switch direction when we would rather not, and head in the direction of a home we know we can trust, back to the arms of a forgiving God, a slow and steady movement to an unchanging changer who is also the all-forgiving giver of everything that is good and holy and right.
May God bless us on our journey back to reconciliation and forgiveness, beaten down and tired and hungry and aching as we are, longing for something we know only God can give.
May God bless us as we arise each day and seek to find the holy and the sacred in the ordinary and mundane, as well as in the extraordinary. May we see them all as gift and may we trust God to give us what we need each day as we raise our hands in gratitude for all we have been given and in sorrow for all the ways we have failed to recognize a God who is so clearly evident.
May God bless us and by doing so transform us into God’s own image, full of mercy and healing and service and love. May we be perfectly compassionate as God is perfect in compassion.
The parable of the Prodigal Son is a personal favorite of mine. I try to make this parable a reflection point for me at times in my life and after I have finished the sacrament of Reconciliation in thanks. God bless you, Steve, in your ministry as Spiritual Director. Take Care & God Bless.
Thanks very much, Bob. Hope you are well.
That was exceptional Steve! We all stray off from The Way. Frequently stopping and checking our map and comparing it to God’s plan is essential. Your prayer and insight are beautiful. Thank you!
Tom
Thanks, Tom. Our map and God’s compass!
Thanks – good stuff!!
Thanks, Judy. Hope you are having a prayerful lent.
I enjoy/ appreciate all your postings, but thought this was very special, and just what I needed at this time, Lent/ life and all… Thanks so much. I have shared it with many friends, who said the same. Jean
Thanks for writing, Jean, and thanks for sharing with others. Have a prayerful and blessed remainder of lent…