There are many things in life which we could avoid or have control of. Sometimes, it is for our personal good that we have the freedom to choose what we want and need, since some things may not necessarily be good for us in the long run. On the other hand, there are also many things in life which is beyond our control, beyond our choice. For example, we cannot control when we would actually die, since death can come at any time, at any place, at any moment. Another example of something beyond our control is change. As long as we are alive, we are constantly changing physically and biologically, and we have no control of such change. But we do have control over one important aspect, that is our direction in life. However, it is precisely this direction in life which is hardest to change and accept.
Today’s readings tell us of different examples of change and how people respond to such changes. In the first reading, the Israelites had a change of lifestyle in the kind of diet they had been having. They now had finally arrived at their new homeland, after escaping Egypt and journeying 40 years in the desert. From that time on, they no longer had the manna which they ate in the desert; instead they had tasted the produce of that country, unleavened bread and roasted ears of corn. In the Gospel, we come across the younger son who started off on the wrong track but who later repented and decided to change his direction in life. The younger son represented the sinners among Jesus’ followers who had repented and changed from their past lives, whereas the older son represented the pious and religious Pharisees and scribes who continued to hold on to their self-righteous beliefs, refusing to change because they felt that they were already good and they believed that they had no need to change. This is because change can be frightening and disturbing to some of us, but unless we change, we will remain like the elder brother: angry, frustrated, complaining always and we can never allow ourselves to be part of God’s salvation. St. Paul in the second reading reminds us that “For anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here. It is all God’s work.” If we are indeed a ‘new creation’ then change must take place, and we must begin to live this ‘newness’ of life.
At the end of the day, change of our direction in life can only happen if we are open to God’s love and care. May we pray for grace to accept change, and let our loving God guide us in all we do, so that we glorify Him and move forward in faith, hope and love.