Today’s gospel is the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. When one reflects on how Jesus had to have such empathy and compassion for those suffering from the brokenness of regret, one can only imagine how carefully and passionately he weaved this story of such joyful, unconditional, forgiving love — memorialized beauty!
Sue Brent and Kevin Jeans Gail were our presenters this liturgy, and to listen to them share their own harrowing and hallowed stories of life’s tragic losses, struggles to rebound, searches for belonging, discoveries of love… you can sense (and try to hold through tears) the humility, honesty and holiness that inspirited their words to us.
In the scriptures, “the third day” has special meaning for how the future comes alive. This day of the Novena is commensurate with feeling deeply what’s truly at stake and how God’s providence abides from brokenness to beauty. We are blessed to be their companions in the pilgrimage of this retreat. (Kevin gives his words while on oxygen support. When he and Sue finished, we could have borrowed some!)