“ABIDE IN ME AND I WILL ABIDE IN YOU; AND YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT”

 24^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

 (Ex 32: 7-11, 13-14); (1 Tim 1: 12-17); (Lk 15: 1-32)

“ABIDE IN ME AND I WILL ABIDE IN YOU; AND YOU WILL BEAR MUCH FRUIT”

Today, we have one of the most popular stories in the whole Bible. It's the tale of the man with two children. It is one of Jesus' most unique stories. We typically refer to it as the Parable of the Prodigal Son or now and then as the account of the Forgiving Father. In reality, it could better and all the more appropriately be known as the Parable of the Prodigal Father.

It is natural sensation that after completing the period of (Teen age of 18) a person obtains a sense of almighty, a sense of self-management and a sense of autonomous. This sense of almighty or sovereignty impacts two essential aspects such as positive and negative.

Positive aspects: A person can develop self-confidence, can become responsible which helps to brighten ones future and prosperous life.

Negative influences: It can lead ones to frustration, one can become treacherous, could be abandoned, rejected, it can lead to lowliness, despair and dejection. One can trapped up with nervousness, despair and disappointment and to sin etc.

This what we have seen in today’s Gospel episode. At this stage he also developed naturally a sense of Almighty, self-governing, autonomous, and self-regulating and want to be independent. Due to this foolish sense he considers that he will be better of his own.

The parable of prodigal is one of the most important parable. This parable has been recognized with numerous titles such as, the Parable of the Two Sons, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. However, a better title is probably the “Parable of the Merciful Father” since the father’s mercy is the focus of the story and he is the essential figure. And in today’s reflection the concept of abiding is highlighted for the sake of recognition, reputation in the society and above all the for the sake of father’s love, mercy and forgiveness.

The life was Jesus was full of criticism, because Jesus has the keen interest in sinners. And this parable is an answer to the Pharisees’ criticism.

The parable of merciful Father illustrates certain social aspects, for example, the conflict between free-will and responsibility, estrangement and family love, and the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation. But above all, the parable teaches the gift of divine forgiveness to a lost sinner” the hope to remain abide with Father to bear much fruit.

We are well aware of our society and new generation. Right after the age of reasoning a young person desired to be independent of his father and asked for his inheritance. This attitude represents the modern society and the reverted Christian who believe they don’t need God.

The prodigal’s journey to that area is a symbol of the modern society which has crossed God’s ethical, moral and religious boundaries and the Christians that are mingled with the world.

 This parable indicates that the outcome of this attitude is always the same.

Ø  To think independently of God the Father is just the beginning of disaster of one’s life. It draws us away from God.

Ø  The absence of God, leads one to spiritual emptiness.

Ø The more we struggle to gratify ourselves, the more we will go down into humiliating personal situations. Therefore the evangelist depicted the image of vine and branches if we read (Jn15:5) and The Cristi Fidelis Laici (No. 8) where Jesus said “I am the Vine, you are the Branches” if you abide in me I will abide in you and you will bear much fruits.

But the prodigal son was failed to abide in his father and became valueless, insignificant, the victim of despair, anxiety and rejected in the society. Then anguish, desolation and misery surrounded him (Story of grapes)

Today’s parable teaches us to abide in the Father which will help us to bear much fruit of respect in the society, recognition and good reputation etc.

Thus we can observe that the climax of one’s glory, respect and exaltation comes only by abiding in God the Father, who is the fountain of love, mercy and goodness, provided that we accept our failures and sinfulness.

But we should not forget that independent thinking is wrong. There are periods and causes in the life of human being that we have to reflect and take decisions autonomously from our father, mother. Thus there is no lame excuse to survive without God self-reliantly.

Because a life independent of God is actually a life separated from God’s love, fellowship, and authority. Actually, accurate freedom comes only when we completely and willingly submission ourselves to will of God. That will come only when we abide in him and him in us. Therefore, Jesus says, “Abide in me and will abide in you, and you will bear much fruits”

Today is a best day to put ourselves in the shoes of the prodigal son or the prodigal daughter. Now and again in our lives, we additionally have left the home of our God. We have gone astray and maybe we additionally have wasted what little we had. How since quite a while ago did we stay away from God? Is it true or not that we were worried about the possibility that that God could never pardon us? Maybe we believed we didn't merit being pardoned. But then, God is dependably on the watch for us, longing for us, hanging tight for us to get back. God won't ever quit cherishing us!

Take a couple of seconds and say thanks to God for the undaunted love, care and favors that God has presented to you in your life. Relax for a couple of seconds in this reality. There could be no more noteworthy gift. God won't ever leave us! Furthermore if (and when) we in all actuality do leave God for a while, God persistently will search for ourselves and hang tight for us until we get back! Then, at that point, the festival for us starts!