Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C
In our reading, the people of Israel crossed over the Jordan River with Joshua into the promised land that God told them about. God told Joshua that he had saved the people from the suffering they had in Egypt. They ate the Passover meal while they were staying in Gilgal. On the day after the Passover, the people began to grow their own food and after that God didn’t provide them with manna anymore.
In our Gospel, we hear the parable of the Prodigal Son. A man had two sons. He gave ½ of everything he owned to his younger son. After a few days, the younger son left and spent all the money and was very poor. He became very hungry but couldn’t buy any food so he worked for a pig farmer. He finally came back and wanted to work for his dad. The father saw him coming, ran to meet him, hugged and kissed him, and forgave him. The father gave him clothes, a ring, shoes and killed a calf to celebrate. The older son had stayed and worked for the father and was jealous when his brother returned having spent everything and was rewarded with a party. The father tried to explain what a happy occasion it was to have his younger son home.
Special Saint:
St. Vincent Ferrer – April 5th
Vincent Ferrer was born in Spain in 1350. He had a special devotion to the Blessed Mother and was happy whenever anyone talked about her.
When he was 17 years old, Vincent entered the Dominican Order which was known as a preaching order. He spent 3 years reading and memorizing Scripture.
At 21 years, Father Vincent began reaching at different colleges.
When he was 48 years old and recovering from a serious illness, Father Vincent had a vision where Jesus, St. Dominic, and St. Francis told him to preach. For 20 years Fr. Vincent preached all over Spain and France about.
Many people were touched by his sermons and example of holiness. They changed their lives and many became Catholic. Others returned to their faith.
Fr. Vincent prayed before his sermons knowing that God was responsible for his words. Times when he didn’t pray before his sermon, the sermons weren’t as good. This was God’s way of showing Fr. Vincent that he needed to pray before preaching.
Fr. Vincent died at 69 years old on April 5, 1419.
We should not brag about ourselves, or act as though we can do things on our own, without God’s help. God will continue to help us all our lives if we see our need for him. We can ask St. Vincent to help us understand our need for God.