In next Sunday’s Gospel we hear the familiar story of the prodigal son. While listening to this parable at different moments of life, I have wrestled between the narratives of the two brothers. I have stood outraged beside the older brother, but I have also found inspiration in the younger brother’s humility and willingness to seek his father’s forgiveness.

However, I have spent less time trying to understand the father. Fr. Nuzzi highlighted the following reflection from Henri Nouwen’s, The Return of the Prodigal Son:

"It might sound strange, but God wants to find me as much as, if not more than, I want to find God. Yes, God needs me as much as I need God. God is not the patriarch who stays home…and expects his children to come to him…beg for forgiveness, and promise to do better. To the contrary, God leaves the house, ignoring his dignity by running toward them, pays no heed to apologies and…brings them to the table richly prepared for them. ​​I am beginning to now see how radically the character of my spiritual journey will change when I no longer think of God as hiding out and making it as difficult as possible for me to find him, but, instead, as the one who is looking for me while I am doing the hiding."

Instead of focusing all our energies on finding God, Nouwen’s reflection challenges us to allow ourselves to be found. In the haste of new school year beginning, let us be open to an invitation to lower our guard and allow ourselves to be found by God.

NICHOLAS FORD |  Superintendent