March 30, 2025 – Fourth Sunday of Lent

Things to talk about:

• Why do you think the tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus?
• Who did you identify with in the story? Prodigal son, faithful older brother? Could you see yourself in both brothers?
• Why was the father so happy that the younger son returned? Why wasn’t the father angry with the younger son? Who does the father in this story represent?
• Does the reaction of the older son surprise you? Why or why not?

Things to do:

• Wear pink to Mass this weekend. The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” This Gospel describes the reason for our joy: God’s unconditional love for us has been revealed in Jesus. Through his Passion, Death, and Resurrection, Christ has reconciled us with God and one another.
• Learn about St. Monica. She models perseverance. How is she like the Father in the prodigal son gospel? How does St Monica inspire you?
• This week, intentionally pray for someone you know who has fallen away from the faith.
• Rembrandt painted a picture of today’s Gospel called “The Return of the Prodigal Son.” Find an image of it and see what draws your attention!
• Gospel Memory Match-Create a simple matching game using words or images from this Gospel. Write words or draw pictures on index cards. Each family member can make three (or more) sets of cards that have a word, simple phrase, or picture. Collect and shuffle all the cards. Place them face down on a table or the floor. Have one person select two cards, and if they are a match, they keep them and select another two. If they do not match, flip them back down, and the next person selects two cards. Play continues until all the cards are matched. The person with the most cards wins.

Closing Prayer

Litany of St Monica

A litany is a form of prayer containing a series of petitions to which people make fixed responses. Litanies originated in the 4^th^ century. The prayer leader prays the bold text. The responses follow.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us.

Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven, have mercy on us.

God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us.

God the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us.

St. Monica, pray for us and for our children.

Model of wives, pray for us and for our children.

You who converted your unbelieving husband and son, pray for us and for our children.

You who continuously hoped, pray for us and for our children.

You who intercede for all mothers who pray as you did, pray for us and for our children.

Preserve the innocence of our children and protect them against evil, we ask you, St. Monica.

Pray for those who have fallen away from the Church and those who don’t know Christ, we ask you, St. Monica.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, graciously hear us, O Lord!

Pray for us, O holy St. Monica, That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Name those who need our prayers.

Catholic Insights

The word prodigal means “wasteful” and describes the younger brother. During Jesus’ time, the Jewish custom for inheritance widely centered on the eldest male heir receiving the majority if not all of the estate. The younger son’s demand for his inheritance was something he wasn’t entitled to.

Forgiveness is at the heart of this Scripture and God’s unconditional love for each of us. He is like the Father in this Gospel, waiting for us to return, loving us before we even have time to apologize.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

For the younger crowd: