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This Gospel is an account of the last meal Jesus had with his disciples. The meal is better known as the last supper. Soon Jesus' earthly mission will be over. The disciples do not realize yet that this evening is going to take a very different turn.

I wonder what Jesus was feeling. We read that he was in agony in the garden but what was he feeling when he is having this last meal with his disciples? Did he try to tell them, to leave hints as to what were his plans? I wonder if the disciples’ sensed anything different. I suspect Jesus was probably a bit sombre. He knew he was going to have a horrible death in less than 24 hours. Did he wonder if there was another way to achieve his mission? I suspect he felt terribly alone.

This passage reminds us that although we often call upon friends and family for support in times of distress we must also recognize divine support as well. It is a reminder that we don’t have to deal with life’s struggles alone. But are we open to divine support?

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Today’s Gospel is a teaching, Gospel. Its also unusual. In most instances the person seeks out Jesus or recognizes him before asking for something. I suspect the woman in this story wanted to be anywhere else but there. She was not only embarrassed but terrified. Without Jesus’ intervention she faced a painful death. She has a brief but powerful conversation with Jesus. And that is it! We don’t know who this woman was. What’s her story or what happened to her after this experience.

What about the men who were prepared to stone her. Some of them may have known her, after all they did live in a small town. The Scribes and Pharisees were educated and well established in their community. How is it they missed being compassionate towards her and/or fail to recognize the injustices?

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Jesus describes a young man who wants adventure and asks for his share of his father’s estate. After he receives his inheritance, he leaves and lives a carefree life. I want to draw your attention to the fact that he did not earn the money he is spending, it is his father’s hard-earned money. This would be a good time to pause and reflect on the many opportunities that we enjoyed but did not earn.

Coming back to the story we learn that initially the son did okay, but his fun did not last, and calamity struck. He squandered his resources and was forced to get a job. Hearing that his job was tending the pigs surely raised the eyebrows of the first listeners of this story. Likely the Jewish listeners with their aversion to pigs would have seen this action in the young man as turning his back on his own culture and community.

Jesus continues the story but focusses on the father. The father notices his son from far away. He is so excited that he runs to meet his son. This would have been very surprising to the Jewish listeners. Jewish patriarchs do not run, especially toward a wayward son. The son gives his rehearsed apology. The father responds by hugging his son and putting a ring on his finger. The ring symbolizes the son being restored in the household. While the son is focusing on what he did and what he didn’t do the father is focusing on the fact that his son is back safe and sound. Not only is the son forgiven but a party is being planned.

The story does not end here. There is an older son...