In
his short story “Capital of the World” Hemingway writes about a Spanish father
who wants to reconcile with his son, Paco. He places an ad in the newspaper:
“Paco, meet me at
the Hotel Montana at noon on Tuesday. All is forgiven. Love, Papa.” Well, Paco is a very common name. When Papa arrives at noon on Tuesday, there
are 800 Pacos waiting for him. The
power of forgiveness!
One would not
expect the father in our story to be in a forgiving mood. His son has asked for his share of the inheritance.
Normally, the parent would have to be dead!
But the father grants him his wish, and the son goes through everything
in short order.
The son comes to
his senses, and simply hopes to be hired back as a slave. One might expect the
father to refuse to even see him – but no, the father is waiting for him! My brother worked the 44 in the Bronx for 5
years. My mother would always – always – wait up for him, looking for him to
come home.
The father runs
out to him and embraces him. The cloak,
the ring and the sandals are all signs that he is welcome, that he is forgiven.
The mercy of the
father!
Can you picture
the priest sitting there, waiting for you in the Sacrament of
Reconciliation? He want to extend to you
the very same mercy!
You might say –
why the priest? Can’t I just tell my sins to God and be forgiven? Or
course! But sin has two dimensions. Picture a cross. Up and down.
I and the Father. But it also
goes across. Sin affects others, the
community, the church. The mystical Body of Christ. By seeking forgiveness in the Sacrament – I am
reconciled to God and to the Body of Christ.
Back in Communion. Can receive
Communion.
Plus – I know
without any doubt: I am forgiven. I am
loved. I am a child of God.
So – we will be
waiting – every Saturday, and most especially Reconciliation Monday. Come and experience what the Prodigal Son
did – the Mercy of the Father!!!
