One simple question can completely change how we live, adding focus, surrender and peace. I can’t wait to share it with you!
In Episode 318 of Bible in a Year Fr Mike discusses the parable of the prodigal son. In his commentary he breaks open this parable and dives into some of the richness and layers within this short story. The entire reflection is wonderful and worth a listen, but I want to focus in on the brother. In the parable, the brother complains that the father has never given him a goat so that he can have a party with his friends. Fr Mike points out that the brother here is not looking for a deeper relationship with his father (neither is the prodigal son for that matter but that’s another point). Instead, he has been doing his duty and is annoyed and resentful that this other son has been so celebrated. What is the father’s response? “All that I have is yours.”
Taking It Further
That answer alone by the father can be meditated on for quite some time. And it does relate to where we’re going. But it gets even richer. Fr Mike takes some liberty here and ponders what a typical day may have looked like for this family. The father gets up early, available, but the son sleeps in. He leaves a note for the son about the things to get done that day on the farm and leaves to take care of his share of the work. The son comes downstairs, sees the list, and with less than a completely charitable heart, gets to work.
Yes, the son is doing his duty by the father, but there is no relationship. The son does not want to celebrate and feast with his father but with his friends. He wants a reward for his loyalty but is missing the bigger picture.
Fr Mike goes on to consider what it could look like instead. Father is downstairs just getting his breakfast in the morning. Son comes into the kitchen, pours himself some coffee, and sits down with the father. “Father, what are we working on today,” asks the son. Then the father and son discuss their day, their different duties and responsibilities, but with a camaraderie, a shared vision, and most importantly, within a loving relationship.
Us
Now for the gold. Let’s turn this into what Jesus was really trying to get at: our relationship with God the Father. Fr Mike says that sometimes we are striving to be “good Catholics” following the Commandments and Precepts of the Church, saying our prayers, but with a bit of a resentful heart, especially when we see others receiving blessings or feel like our prayer goes unanswered.
The solution to this is quite easy: we must engage with the Father in a familial, intimate, and loving manner.
Instead of trudging through our chores, our duties, our state in life with dutiful resolution, let’s walk all of this with Our Lord!
The Question
“Lord, what are we doing today?”
Not “What am I supposed to do today?” Not “Look Lord, I’m checking off all of the boxes. Aren’t you pleased?” Not walking through our day with clenched teeth and a fake smile while rebelling the whole time in our soul. But simply, asking the Lord what “we” are doing today. Because His Plans are better and must be deferred to. This means even if we made plans thinking that was what He wanted, as each day brings new information. The world has changed overnight, and only He sees it all. So for our little, flawed perspective to try to control our lives … Well, we all know that never turns out well.
Asking the question “Lord, what are we doing today?” will create surrender as well as relief. We are not walking this journey to eternity alone. He is there. Right there. He’s watching me type. He prompted me to write this. He put Fr Mike into my ear and stirred my heart with the reflection, enough that I’ve told to it multiple people. And now I’m telling it to you.
As we walk towards the holidays, a time that is meant for peace but that can cause a lot of anxiety in us, let us drop expectations and embrace Him, simply asking Him to guide our days, because we know that every morning is different. The greatest laid plans of the night before can be completely wiped from our planners with a sick child, the needs of our spouse, a family concern, or simply because He is tugging on our heart in another direction. I pray you all have a blessed beginning to the holiday season. Stop to smell the pine, to gaze into the fire, to watch your children’s faces, and to rest with Him often. He will always share your next step. He’s waiting for you to surrender and ask.
For further reading, you may like this post on Advent.