The Parable of the Merciful Father

Have you ever known a person who is always keeping tabs on how much you owe him? Or someone who is always calculating and grasping for more? Or someone who is resentful and envious of what others have? We have all met this kind of person who sees other people as competitors or as rivals. There is another kind of person who sees other people as future friends. This kind of person thinks more about relationships and about living together as brothers and sisters.

In today’s Gospel (Luke 15:11–32), Jesus tells a story which is called “the  parable of the Prodigal Son” but actually the story should be called “the parable of the merciful Father.” The whole point of the story is that the father is full of love and mercy toward both of his two sons. This father completely forgot about the fact that his younger son had spent all of his inheritance. His only concern was that now the family had been reunited. The father is an example of those kinds of people who see life in terms of relationships. However, the story also describes that other kind of person: those who are always calculating and seeking their own advantage. Both of the two sons are like this. The younger son has the audacity to ask his dad for the inheritance even though his dad is not dead yet! After spending everything in a selfish way, he comes up with a plan to return home and work as a servant. He does not even think that he could ever be treated as a son. He does not believe that the family ties could be reestablished.

At the end of the story, we see that the older brother also has this calculating attitude. When he sees that his father welcomes the prodigal son with a great banquet and a fine robe, an expensive ring, and comfy sandals, he becomes angry. In his mind, these items belonged to him. Since there were only two sons, he was thinking to himself: “That is MY robe, and MY ring, and MY sandals.” He felt that these were part of his inheritance, and he did not want any of it to go to his younger brother. In fact, he does not even acknowledge that he is his brother. He does not call him “my brother”. Instead, he complains to his father by saying: “When YOUR SON returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.” The father, however, who is always and only thinking of relationships and re-establishing family unity, lovingly reminds his older son that they are family: “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” (Luke 31–32).

In this parable, Jesus is telling a story about the merciful love of God, our heavenly father. Jesus is telling us that God considers us to be his sons and daughters. We must trust our heavenly Father, we must imitate his loving attitude. We must think in terms of relationship rather than selfish ambition. We must treat others as our brothers and sisters: “Be merciful, as your heavenly Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

Do we sometimes think that Jesus is given only to the highly qualified, special religious people? In the Gospel of Luke today we hear about the presentation of the Lord in the temple. The newborn son of God is passed around like a baton in a relay race, not guarded like a precious jewel or a breakable china dish. We can see him going from the arms of Mary to Joseph, then to the priest performing the ceremony, then to Simeon the old man, and then to Anna the old widow. Each one receives him and then hands him to the next. A tidal wave of joy and thanksgiving follows wherever he is placed. Believe me, you are qualified to hold Jesus in your arms. How can I say that with such confidence? Because the mother decides who is qualified. The Blessed Virgin, embodied in the Church, holds him out to you and me. She rejoices to place him in our arms to hold and to hand him on, too.

— Father John Muir

Many people are suffering from ailments of some form or another. Please join us as we pray for the sick, their families, and caregivers. ​

Aaron Ramirez

Alejandra Hernancez

Alex Mendoza

Angelina Munar 

Annabelle Dizon 

Ashraf Ghangosar

Barbara Gini

Bob Weber 

Carlos Felipe Ruiz

Carlos Rodriguez

Carmen Parrish

Celine Hoban

Chuy Cazares

Connie Heim

Connie Tracy

Debbie Brockney

Deborah Balisteri

Derk Hoban

Edith Contreras Ochoa

Elsa Valdez

Elvin Tyler

Enos Gomes

Evelyn Gesell

Frank Gomez Jr 

Galdina Guzmán

George Reyes

Gilbert Ramirez

Gloria Fernandez 

Gloria Rangel Ortiz

Graciela Alegria Vargas

Guadalupe Deleon 

Jack Avery

Janet Kavanaugh

Jeanette Toloy

Joan Reyes

Joann Shannon

Jocelyn Gonzalez

Kenneth McKellar

Kim Bach

Kimberly Ginsberg

Lillian Martinez

Luz Maria Camarillo

María Guadalupe Barajas

Maria Ochoa

Maria Rivera

Matt Johnston

Mayra A. Castillo

Michael A. Mallare

Michael James Miller

Noemi Bourez

Paloma Ochoa

Paulette Vetter

Rachel Stafford

Roger Roman

Scott Johnson

Sheila Bacus

Star Cunanan

Susan Klass

Tammie Parrino

Terri Lomeli

Terry Cabauatan

Tomas Larios Ortiz

​To add or remove names, please contact the Communications Coordinator at comms@presentationchurch.net.

To see additional 'Prayers for the Sick', please click here. 

SUNDAY, MARCH 30, 2025

7:00 AM: † Ernie and † Helen Medina

8:45 AM: † Gary Kiley 

10:30 AM: † Felix G. Vasquez

12:15 PM: † Debbie Maltbie 

2:15 PM: † Anselmo Gonzalez and 

  † Maria de los Angeles Camarena  

5:00 PM: † Salvador Valverde 

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2025

7:00 AM: Edgar Felipe Ramirez Romero 

   — health 

12:15 PM: † Fernando Ramirez Romero

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2025

7:00 AM: Glorifina Tinaza

12:15 PM: † Dionisia Lachica 

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025

7:00 AM: All Souls

12:15 PM: † Kenneth A. Gates

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025

7:00 AM: † Louis T. and † Dolores F. Arbios 

12:15 PM: † For the deceased family and friends of The Seniors Group

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2025

7:00 AM: † Hilda Goyette

12:15 PM: † Rafael Benabayen Jr.  

7:30 PM: † Nestor Maldonado-Luna

SATURDAY, APRIL 5, 2025

8:00 AM: † Anita Alicaba 

— death anniversary 

5:00 PM: Terry Marshall 

In remembrance of those who have gone before us.

Shirley Spadafore

MaryLou Knisley

Alejandro Ramirez

Carmel Breakfield

Beverly Limbaugh

Marlene Neri

Marietta Quizana

Mel Pagala

Andrea Weesner

Olga Mendoza

Thelma Adams

Pushpamma Manda

Thelma Perdue

Ruth Segarini

Jose Salud Garcia Jasso

Norma Jean Luder

James R Fenelon

Vernon Franzi 

Henrietta Melinda Gietzen

Donna Mae Monaco

Estela Cortes

Salvador De Leon Samson

Marina Cueva

Nasser Y. Saleh

Myrna Garces

Fr. Joe Maghinay

Lolita Hilario

Benjamin Morelos

Nancy Bertilacchi

JoAnn Campigli

Romulo Gonzales

Antonio D. Alamo, Sr.

Pierce Lawrence (Chris) Brothers

Shirley Benecke

Arnold Arnulfo Rangel

Mario Gines

Yvonne G. Mariani

Frank Ramalho

Patricia Rut

Angelina R. Agpawa

Jack Jerome Vernon

Agnes Sombra

David Wagner

Ramon Espiritu

Marlo Eduardo Gesell, Jr.

Anne Marie Saiers Fowler

Christopher Thomas

Manuel J. Angel

Christofer Gores

Judith Gores

Mario Sepulveda

Armando Fernandez

Marilyn McLean

Gwen Lagesse

Ronald Ramirez

David Perez

Teresita Perez

Jeanette Cuthbert 

Loretta Castro

Genevieve Johnson

Rosalie Mello

John Mendonca 

Joann Phillips

 Maria Trinidad Espinosa Montiel

Jeremiah Bersola

Lorraine Coburn

Ben Munar Cables

David Rodahaffer

Helen Medina

Elvin Tyler

Norah Bennington

Bernice Nickols

Jose Manuel Gutierrez

Gail-Victoria Galela

Dina DeMartini

Bertha Gonzales

Felicidad Albinto

Bernarda Maldonado Camargo

Rita Sepulveda

Victoria Mgbanwa

Perla Rosal Crisologo

Ange Mouttapa

Herminia Espiritu 

Eldina Tronco

Antonio Elopre

Mildred Aquino 

Rosa Montoya

Dan Lucchesi 

Mildred Quitoriano

Dan Lucchesi 

Mildred Quitoriano

David Trummer

Olimpio Sisante

Julie Low

Eberhard Schwertzke

Lucy Valverde 

Ramon Mendez

We pray that we trust that God will provide all that we need. 

Rezamos que confiemos en que Dios proveerá todo lo que necesitemos. 

Even if one cannot sacramentally receive the Eucharist, everyone should be aware of the practice of making a spiritual communion. The following is a daily prayer for Spiritual Communion:

O my Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.

I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul.

Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally,

come at least spiritually into my heart.

I embrace you as if you were already there and

unite myself wholly to you.

Never permit me to be separated from you.

Amen.

-St. Alphonsus Liguori

For more resources on Spiritual Communion, click here.

From the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)

To view full readings, click here.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

Scrutiny: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6–7, 10–13a/

Eph 5:8–14/Jn 9:1–41 or 9:1, 6–9,13–17, 

34–38

MONDAY, MARCH 31

Is 65:17–21/Jn 4:43–54

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

Ez 47:1–9, 12/Jn 5:1–16

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

Is 49:8–15/Jn 5:17–30

THURSDAY, APRIL 3

Ex 32:7–14/Jn 5:31–47

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

Wis 2:1a, 12-22/Jn 7:1–2, 10, 25–30

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

Jer 11:18–20/Jn 7:40–53

NEXT SUNDAY, APRIL 6

Scrutiny: Ez 37:12–14/Rom 8:8–11/

Jn 11:1–45 or 11:3–7, 17, 20–27, 33b–45

Scrutiny: 1 Sm 16:1b, 6–7, 10–13a/

Eph 5:8–14/Jn 9:1–41 or 9:1, 6–9,13–17, 

34–38

“No longer was there manna for the Israelites, who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.” — Joshua 5:12

Over the forty years that the Israelites journeyed through the desert, God provided them with manna to eat. As soon as they were able to enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land the manna ceased. Likewise, God’s blessings to us may change over the years but it is important to trust that God will always provide us with all that we need. 

“Los hijos de Israel no tuvieron más maná, sino que comieron del producto de la tierra de Canaán.” — Josué 5:12

Durante los cuarenta años que los Israelitas viajaron por el desierto, Dios les proporcionό maná para que se alimentaran. Tan pronto como fueron capaces de disfrutar de los frutos de la Tierra Prometida cesó el maná. De la misma manera las bendiciones que Dios nos ha dado pueden cambiar en el transcurso de los años, pero es importante confiar en que Dios siempre proveerá para todas nuestras necesidades. 

Sharing the Gospel

Everything you have is a gift from God — your body, your mind, your food, your clothes — everything! Sometimes people become proud, and they think they have earned God’s gifts. Sometimes people run away from God, and they waste God’s gifts. Just remember, it is never too late to run back to God. Every good gift comes from God. 

​Prayer

Dear God, help me to be truly thankful for all the gifts you have given me. 

Something to Draw

Draw a picture of Jesus hugging you.  

Mission for the Week

Name three good things God has given you. Say “thank you” to God for those gifts in a prayer. 

© 2008 LPi • PO Box 510817, New Berlin, WI 53151-0817 • 1-800-950-9952 x2469 • LPiResourceCenter.com 

ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLA | c. 560–636 | DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

FEAST DAY: 4 APRIL

St. Isidore of Sevilla was a theologian, last of the Western Latin Fathers, archbishop, and encyclopaedist. His Etymologies, an encyclopedia of human and divine subjects, was one of the chief landmarks in glossography (the compilation of glossaries) and was for many centuries one of the most important reference books. Isidore succeeded his brother St. Leander as archbishop of Sevilla about 600, during a time when the Spanish church witnessed numerous councils, one of the greatest being the fourth Council of Toledo (633). Isidore headed this council, which, among other politico-religious matters, decreed union between church and state, toleration of Jews, and uniformity in the Spanish Mass. He successfully continued Leander’s conversion of the Visigoths from Arianism (the heretical doctrine teaching that the Son was neither equal with God the Father nor eternal) to orthodox Christianity. Outstanding among Isidore’s extraordinary literary production was his Etymologies, which, in 20 sections, compiled for posterity much that he had extracted from works of previous encyclopedists, specialists, and various Latin writers; the etymological part (Book X) became a great mine for later glossographers. The Etymologies, which became one of the most studied works during the Dark and Middle Ages, treats the seven liberal arts by applying them to general, comprehensive knowledge — such as anthropology, cosmology, architecture, history, and agriculture. His theological works include “On the Origin and Death of the Fathers”, biographies of 86 biblical persons; “Three Books of Sentences”, a handbook of morals and theology in the form of collected sentences; “On Church Duties”, a liturgical work dealing with offices and clerical members; and “Synonyms”, a spiritual meditation. He was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1598. Pope Innocent XIII formally declared him a doctor of the church in 1722.

SAN ISIDORO DE SEVILLA | c. 560–636 | DOCTOR DE LA IGLESIA 

FIESTA: 4 DE ABRIL  

San Isidoro de Sevilla fue un teólogo, el último de los Padres latinos de Occidente, arzobispo y enciclopedista. Su obra Etimologías, una enciclopedia de temas humanos y divinos, fue uno de los hitos fundamentales en la glosografía (la recopilación de glosarios) y, durante muchos siglos, uno de los libros de referencia más importantes. Isidoro sucedió a su hermano, San Leandro, como arzobispo de Sevilla alrededor del año 600, en una época en la que la iglesia española presenció numerosos concilios, siendo uno de los más importantes el IV Concilio de Toledo (633). Isidoro presidió este concilio, que, entre otros asuntos político-religiosos, decretó la unión entre la Iglesia y el Estado, la tolerancia hacia los judíos y la uniformidad en la Misa española. Continuó con éxito la conversión de los visigodos del arrianismo (la doctrina herética que enseñaba que el Hijo no era igual ni coeterno con Dios Padre) al cristianismo ortodoxo, siguiendo la labor iniciada por Leandro.

Entre la extraordinaria producción literaria de Isidoro, su obra Etimologías destaca especialmente. En sus 20 secciones, recopiló para la posteridad una gran cantidad de conocimientos extraídos de obras de enciclopedistas anteriores, especialistas y diversos escritores latinos. La parte etimológica (Libro X) se convirtió en una fuente fundamental para posteriores glosógrafos. Etimologías, una de las obras más estudiadas durante la Edad Oscura y la Edad Media, trata sobre las siete artes liberales aplicadas al conocimiento general y comprensivo, abordando temas como la antropología, la cosmología, la arquitectura, la historia y la agricultura.

Sus obras teológicas incluyen Sobre el origen y la muerte de los Padres, que contiene biografías de 86 personajes bíblicos; Tres libros de sentencias, un manual de moral y teología en forma de sentencias recopiladas; Sobre los deberes de la Iglesia, una obra litúrgica sobre los oficios y miembros clericales; y Sinónimos, una meditación espiritual. Fue canonizado por el Papa Clemente VIII en 1598. El Papa Inocencio XIII lo declaró formalmente Doctor de la Iglesia en 1722.