Today's Gospel March 14 2020 with comment

From the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Luke 15,1-3.11-32.
At that time, all tax collectors and sinners came to Jesus to listen to him.
The Pharisees and scribes murmured: "He receives sinners and eats with them."
Then he told them this parable:
He said again: «A man had two children.
The younger said to the father: Father, give me the part of the estate that I have. And the father divided the substances between them.
After not many days, the youngest son, having collected his things, left for a distant country and there he squandered his substances by living in debauchery.
When he had spent everything, a great famine came in that country and he began to find himself in need.
Then he went and put himself at the service of one of the inhabitants of that region, who sent him to the fields to graze the pigs.
He would have liked to be satisfied with the carobs that ate the pigs; but nobody gave it to her.
Then he went back to himself and said: How many workers in my father's house have plenty of bread and I'm starving here!
I will rise and go to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you;
I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me like one of your boys.
He left and walked towards his father. When he was still far away his father saw him and moved ran towards him, threw himself around his neck and kissed him.
The son said to him: Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
But the father said to the servants: Hurry, bring the most beautiful dress here and put it on, put the ring on his finger and the shoes on his feet.
Bring the fat calf, kill it, eat and party,
because this son of mine had died and came back to life, was lost and was found. And they began partying.
The eldest son was in the fields. On his return, when he was close to home, he heard music and dance;
he called a servant and asked him what this was all about.
The servant replied: Your brother has returned and the father has killed the fat calf, because he has recovered it safe and sound.
He got angry, and didn't want to go inside. The father then went out to pray to him.
But he answered his father: Behold, I have served you for many years and I have never transgressed your command, and you have never given me a kid to celebrate with my friends.
But now that this son of yours who has devoured your belongings with prostitutes has returned, you have killed the fat calf for him.
The father answered him: Son, you are always with me and all that is mine is yours;
but it was necessary to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours had died and returned to life, was lost and was found again ».

San Romano the Melode (? -Ca 560)
Greek hymn composer

Hymn 55; SC 283
"Quick, bring the best dress here and put it on"
Many are those who, for penance, have deserved the love you have for man. You have justified the tax collector who beat his breast and the sinner who wept (Lk 18,14:7,50; XNUMX), because, for a predetermined plan, you foresee and grant forgiveness. With them, convert me too, because you are rich in multiple mercies, you who want all men to be saved.

My soul got dirty by dressing the guilt dress (Gen 3,21:22,12). But you, allow me to run fountains out of my eyes, to purify it with contrition. Put on your shining dress, worthy of your wedding (Mt XNUMX:XNUMX), you who want all men to be saved. (...)

Have compassion on my cry as you did for the prodigal son, Heavenly Father, for I too throw myself at your feet and cry like him: "Father, I have sinned!" »My Savior, do not reject me, I who am your unworthy son, but make your angels rejoice also for me, good God that you want all men to be saved.

For thou hast made me thy son and heir by grace (Rom 8,17:1,26). For offending you, here I am prisoner, slave sold to sin, and unhappy! Have mercy on your image (Gen XNUMX:XNUMX) and bring it back from exile, Salvatore, you who want all men to be saved. (...)

It is now time to repent (...). Paul's word prompts me to persevere in prayer (Col 4,2) and to wait for you. It is with confidence that I beg you, since I know your mercy well, I know that you come to me first and I ask you for help. If late, it is to give me the compensation for perseverance, you who want all men to be saved.

Always give me to celebrate you and give you glory by leading a pure life. Arrange for my actions to be in accord with my words, Almighty, so that you may sing to you (...) with pure prayer, the only Christ, who wants all men to be saved.