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In today’s Gospel, Luke shares another parable with us. In it, he seeks to show that God’s love follows us through triumph, failure, and challenge.  

In the parable, a man has two sons. The younger son asks his father to give him all of hisinheritance so that he may use it as he pleases. Interestingly, the father agrees and divides his assets between each of his sons. The older son, remains home to care for his father. But the second son, packs his belongings and leaves. While away, he spends all his money and is forced to return home.  

Knowing that he has disrespected his father greatly, he intends to return not as his father’s son but a paid laborer on his father’s land. To his surprise his father welcomes him back as his son with open arms, despite his wrongdoing.  

The older son, who remained with his father, is frustrated and confused at the welcome his younger brother received and confronts his father.  

To his eldest son, the father explains, “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.” 

Just as the father in this parable, God is always there for his children. He is our guide and trusted advocate and nothing can change that.  

Volunteer nurse Stephanie Onoho holding an infant in Haiti in March 2021.

This year marks a return to the field for many of our volunteers. In February we celebrated our first new volunteer commitment ceremony since the start of the pandemic. We would like to conclude this week’s reflection with the words of encouragement Dick Day, CMMB’s Senior Vice President of Programs and Volunteers, shared with this new cohort of volunteers. It reminds us that God is always on our side—no matter the challenges we face.  

“Never doubt in the darkness what God has shown you in the light.” 

If you’re interested in reading more about the ceremony, including what inspired our volunteers to serve, we encourage you to do so by clicking here 

In grace and peace,

CMMB

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*Portions of today’s reflection were adapted from and inspired by the Loyola Press Sunday Connection.