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| Return of the Prodigal Son by Master of the Annunciation, anonymous painter, 17th c. |
And here's a very real story of a young man's redemption from Beyond These Stone Walls. There is no such thing as an unforgivable sin or a person lost to God's love. Check out The Prodigal Son: Alexander’s Long Lent Toward Easter Sunrise:
March 26, 2025 by Alexander
My name is Alex. I am 38 years old. Fourteen years ago I was prisoner number 96829 in the New Hampshire State Prison. One day back then I was standing in the doorway of Cell Number One having a conversation with two friends. I think you might know the ones I mean. Anyway, I went there a lot to talk about a very big decision I made back then that changed the course of my life. I didn’t know when I went to visit Cell One that I would one day be telling you this story, but here I am. It took a long time for this to come into print, and in the meantime all of our lives have changed.
I have become a Catholic. That might seem no big deal to the casual observer. Just about everywhere at this time of year, people are getting ready to enter the Catholic Church. If you knew me then, however, you might see that this decision was most unlikely, but, like I said, here I am. [Read the rest here...]
Let's face it. Most of us are prodigal sons and daughters. Whether we've been involved in criminal activity or are only guilty of mortal sins, we all deserve to be prisoner 96829. We all need forgiveness and redemption. On this fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, let us rejoice in our salvation, a free gift from Our Lord and Savior. It's there for the asking. Will we continue to wallow in the filth or will we answer the call and open ourselves to God's love.
By the way, have you been to confession this Lent? That's where conversion begins.
Thanks be to God that this man listened and took advantage of the opportunity God offered him. Yep it took prison to open his eyes and heart but he did.
ReplyDeleteI know so many people who God has hit up side the head and they still don't see their opportunity. They don't see their choices made them the prodigal son (or daughter). So they have yet to see they can make another choice and let God in.