MOMENTS OF GRACE
(This is a reflection paper I made in our class in Grace)

“I no longer deserve to be called your son”
- Lk. 15:19

There are many instances when it comes to human weakness and frailty that I am no better than others, or on second thought, worse. My experience of sinfulness always has been confronting me. And when it comes to the story of the prodigal son, I may say that I am torn between the two sons. In the first place, I really feel that I am like that younger son, who, acknowledging the love and understanding of God wantonly abuse it, of course with that thought that he would understand me. Then in my wretchedness and downfall, I would call upon Him and start compromising and in the midst of my sinfulness and transgression, I feel that God would still loves me and accepts me despite of all the things I have done.
On the other hand, I would also resonate or likened myself to the elder brother who often feels that I am “righteous” or “holier” than others because of the state of life I have chosen. And when if everything went well with others and not with me, then I feel awkward and try to argue with God that I had been doing this, that, and God is not much of a help. Therefore, making me sour loser!
Nonetheless, the Father’s love and acceptance to both sons is incredible. His seemingly favoritism on the younger son may have other people disgusted about it. In the human level, I think people would really be scandalized of the situation, the same reaction we have from the elder son. However, come to think of it, if Jesus is using everyday life situation in teaching the love of God. I think this story would help us rethink our idea of a vengeful God to a God who more loves that any human father or mother could love his/her children. If the father in the story showed that much love to his two sons, well bring that love into perfection and that would be God’s love for all of us, a love that is beyond measure.
We could see here that God’s grace is poured out to all of us, whatever state we are in, either the arrogant and righteous elder son or the prodigal younger son who does not deserve to be forgiven. The important thing here is that we recognized the state where we are, acknowledge it, be remorseful about and God will do the rest. What is essential here is we must return to God. For it obvious, that we cannot be with God if we refuse to, however, God would still be waiting for us always every time we go astray just like the father in the story.
With this, in my personal life, I have done many sins and transgressions before God and to the people that I am dealing with. Some of these wrongdoing are repetitive no manner how many times I made a resolution not to do it again. Every time I ask for forgiveness and resolution (especially in sacrament of reconciliation) from God I would feel comforted and it is as if God is telling me that no matter what condition and circumstances, God would still loves me. I know that I maybe unworthy of God’s love but I could feel the love and comfort he gives me always. It is always a matter of hope and trust in the loving kindness of God. As the first letter of John would say: “This is LOVE: not that we love God, but that he loved us first. So let us love each other for love comes from God and that GOD is LOVE.”