9:30 a.m. Mass of the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare)

#LIVE | Welcome to St. Bernard Catholic faith community in Glassell Park, California, and our celebration of the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare). I am the light of the world. + The great parable of the prodigal son reveals to us today a new way of looking at God our Father. This is a God of unlimited and unconditional love. That is, his love never ends and there are NO CONDITIONS whatsoever. The words are understandable. The reality of such love is beyond comprehension. Sin, regret, selfishness, foolishness, resentment — they're all here in this story. It IS all about being lost and being dead. But there is a love in this story as there is in our God that can find us when we are lost and bring us to life when we are dead. The prodigal son story — or the story of the loving father — is Gospel hope! Wisdom is a promised gift of the Holy Spirit. A gift of hope. All who have received the gift in the sacrament of confirmation must never presume it, but rather, engage it. Every day, one ought to ask of the Holy Spirit for another pouring and outpouring of that gift of wisdom so that, with it and through it, right decisions can be made that result in peace and confidence that God is right there, dwelling within us and within our thoughts and actions. Through the Holy Spirit, God can, like the prodigal son, find us when we are lost and give us life when we are dead. + We gather as the Body of Christ, #LACatholics, and our viewers around the world — especially our online communities in the #Philippines, and #Italy. Where are you watching from? Let us know in the comments! Maligayang pagdating! and Benvenuto! For the readings and Divine Mercy guide, visit www.stbernard-parish.com/readings, and www.stbernard-parish.com/divinemercy, respectively. + To make a tax-deductible donation to St. Bernard Catholic Church, visit us online, at www.stbernard-parish.com/giving to get started. And thanks!