The Prodigal Son, a well-known story from Scripture, is today’s Gospel. I am sure you have heard the words dozens of times, have thought about which son you are before, and seen how merciful the father is. Homilies take all of these into consideration. We can zone out when we are faced with the familiar and miss out on diamonds in the snow. We forget to listen when we know what we think is coming.

Personally, I love this story. I see myself in both brothers. I am the wandering soul who feels entitled without cause. I am the judgmental older brother who seeks recognition. Sometimes with great grace, I can even be the loving, compassionate father who waits and celebrates. Today, the words that struck me were everything I have is yours. To the younger son, the father had given everything due him. To the older, dutiful son, belonged everything too. Such generosity!

What does it mean to say everything I have is yours?  Everything that belongs to someone else is ours? Mi casa es su casa. My home is your home. Make yourself comfortable. Use whatever you need. I recently house sat and my friends said to eat whatever  I wanted. Leftovers in the fridge or food in the pantry and freezer could be used. That was very generous. How much more generous is God? Everything God has is ours. I cannot even begin to comprehend that.

Since my illness began, I have had this sense that everything I need, I have. I lack nothing. I merely need to ask and sometimes even before I know what I need it arrives. I keep saying God.has.this and I mean it. I do not mean that there will be a magic potion or cure. The miracle may look different indeed. My heart and mind may be transformed. Relationships can be healed. Grace will break through in a variety of ways as it did with the Father who waited for his child to come home again. Miracles happen each and every day because everything God has is ours. Open our eyes and we see bountiful beauty. Breathe in and be amazed that smells are spectacular. Listen attentively to the melodies all around us. Devour the tastes that tempt you. Explore the feeling of rough, smooth, supple, and soft. God offers us a smorgasbord of miracles. Surely we can find at least one today.

We are presented with everything and, as with the older son, sometimes we have no desire to rejoice and celebrate. Make a different choice I say. Choose joy. Choose life. Choose to see the daily miracles. See the mercy and love that awaits you. God is in all things. Ask where God is and then let’s keep our eyes open.

Peace,

Suzanne

Reflection Questions

Who, other than God, says to you, everything I have is yours?

What does God offer you that you want?

Prayer

Creator of the Universe,

You give us everything,

We receive You in all things

at all times,

every single day.

You are worthy of our praise.

Amen.