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“The Journey Home”

Father Peter Fitzgibbons

March 30-31, 2019

Scripture: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

1) The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, 2) but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3) So to them he addressed this parable 11) Then he said, “A man had two sons, 12) and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13) After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14) When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15) So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16) And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 17) Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18) I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19) I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” 20) So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21) His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son. 22) But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23) Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24) because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 25) Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26) He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27) The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28) He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29) He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30) But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31) He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32) But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

On April 29th, I will be going home to Rhode Island. As I get close to home, I am filled with anticipation. When the plane nears the airport, I try to identify the seven islands, buildings, and other landmarks. I’m excited about seeing my loved ones: chicken parmesan, steak fries, and Dunkin Doughnuts.

We all want to go the heaven, our eternal home, but we don’t look forward to the trip. I’m not looking forward to the journey either. Death is unnatural. We were never meant to die, but, because of the sin of our original parents, it is something we all must face. However, as we grow in love for God, our fear of death subsides. We need to focus on the destination and anticipate seeing our Lord. Once in heaven, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone before, and we can work on those left behind so that they can join us.

Most of us don’t realize how close to death we are. We don’t know when it will come, so we need to constantly prepare ourselves. How? By going to Confession. That’s where we receive the Savior and the joy of His love. Some people are afraid to go. That is the sin of pride. Others think they will shock me. Believe me, you couldn’t tell me anything I haven’t heard before. Hearing confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn. Have you committed the sin of bestiality? Are you a Marine? A Paratrooper? Did you marry your 14-year old first cousin? No? Thinking that your sin is so grievous that nobody has ever committed it is false humility. At the other extreme are those who think they haven’t done anything wrong. Well, it is nice to meet you, Mary.

How will you apply this message to your life? Death will come for all of us…how will you prepare for yours? Will you go to Confession at least every three months or more often if needed? Will you grow in your faith and love for God so that death is no longer feared?

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