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During this 2025 Lenten season, we again invite you to embark on a meaningful journey with FaithND as we explore some of the most profound liturgical masterpieces in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art collection. Every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday of Lent, we’ll highlight works by renowned artists to guide us through the emotions of joy, sorrow, hope, and redemption.
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”‘
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.’”
I work at an extraordinary charity called My Brother’s Keeper that delivers furniture, food, and “the Love and Hope of Jesus Christ.” It was started in 1988 by Jim and Terry Orcutt in their basement and has touched more than a million lives over the years. Were it not for the unexpected act of a Holy Cross priest, this beautiful work probably wouldn’t exist.
In 1986, Jim was in a fragile place spiritually. He was new in recovery, and his sponsor encouraged him to attend a retreat called Cursillo. Jim reluctantly said ‘yes’ and nervously went on his first retreat in decades.
On the opening night of Cursillo, Jim’s discomfort was unbearable. At the first break, he told the retreat master he’d be leaving. The priest invited Jim into the chapel. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
Jim shared he’d grown up Catholic but had fallen away from his faith. He was divorced, remarried, and getting an annulment. “I know we’ll be going to Mass. I don’t know if I can receive Communion. I don’t think I belong here.”
What happened next left Jim bewildered. “Kneel down,” the priest said. He placed his hands over Jim’s head and gave him absolution. “Your sins are forgiven. You can receive the Eucharist this weekend.” “Forgiven?! What about confession?” Jim asked. “There’ll be plenty of time for confession,” the priest replied. “For now, your Father’s just happy your home.” Stunned, Jim went back to his seat, completed the retreat, and was transformed.
Two years later, he co-founded My Brother’s Keeper and became nothing short of a spiritual giant in our region. None of this would have happened without the priest’s act of grace. He was the embodiment of the father in the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
As Christians, we are called to take the first step and be a witness of God’s unconditional love. If we’re ever in doubt, may we always err on the side of compassion, mercy, and generosity.
Lord, in these 40 days of Lent, we pray, fast, and give alms, knowing that it is we who have taken ourselves away from you through our sins and our transgressions. By welcoming your forgiveness in our hearts these Lenten days, may we be brought by you to the joy of new life on Easter morning. Amen.
A PODCAST BY FAITH ND
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Fr. Lou DelFra, CSC
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Avis Boyd
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Tim and Lindsay Will
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Dr. Andrew McShane
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Nan Tulchinsky
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Bishop Bob Lombardo, CFR
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Veronica Alonzo
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Dr. Jim O’Connell
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Lisa Orchen
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Jessica Mannen Kimmet
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Fr. Bill Lies, CSC
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Jeremy and Molly Aranda
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Patrick Garry
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Lisa Hendey
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Alex Jones
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Meghann Kirzeder
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Fr. Nate Wills, CSC
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Josh and Stacey Noem
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Sr. Gregory Healy, OSB
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Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC
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Sister Michaela Martinez, OP
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Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers
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Dr. John Cavadini
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We welcome you to submit your prayers for yourself and others. A volunteer will offer them on your behalf at the Grotto, where a candle representing all prayer requests remains perpetually lit.
Daily Gospel Reflection
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