14 March 2020 Catholic Mass Daily Bible Reading.

USCCB. Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Luke 15,1-3.11-32.

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 he addressed this parable.
Then he said, "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.'"

Saint Romanos Melodios (?-c 560)
composer of hymns
Hymn 55 ; SC 283

"Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him"
How many there are who, through repentance, have been worthy to receive the love you hold for humankind. You justified the anguished publican and the weeping woman who was a sinner (Lk 18:14; 7:50) for, through a predetermined design, you foresee and grant pardon. Convert me also together with them, you who desire that all should be saved.
My soul was soiled as it put on the garment of its sins (Gn 3:21). O let me make fountains flow from my eyes that I may purify it by repentance. Clothe me with the shining robe worthy of your wedding (Mt 22:12), you who desire that all should be saved (...).
O heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry as you did for the prodigal son for I, too, am throwing myself at your feet and crying aloud as he cried: “Father, I have sinned!” Do not reject me your unworthy child, O my Savior, but cause your angels to rejoice also on my behalf, O God of goodness who desire that all should be saved.
For you have made me your child and your own heir through grace (Rm 8,17). Yet as for me, because I have offended you, am here a prisoner, an unhappy slave sold over to sin! Take pity on your own image (Gn 1,26) and call it back from exile, O Savior, you who desire that all should be saved...
Now is the time for repentance... The words of Paul urge me to persevere in prayer (Col 4,2) and await you. Therefore with trust I pray for I well know your mercy, I know you come the first towards me and I am calling out for help. Should you delay it is to give me the reward for perseverance, you who desire that all should be saved.
Grant me always to extol you and give you glory by leading a life that is pure. Grant that my deeds may be in accord with my words that I may sing to you, Almighty... with pure prayer, Christ alone who desires that all should be saved.