4th Sunday of Lent Year C

• First Reading – Joshua 5:9A, 10-12: The Israelites celebrated Passover at Gilgal and ate the produce of Canaan. The manna ceased, and they no longer had manna but ate the land’s produce.
• Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: Praise the Lord always, for he hears and saves those in need. Seek him and be filled with joy, without shame.
• Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: In Christ, we are new creations. God reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the message of reconciliation. Be reconciled to God through Christ.
• Gospel – Luke 15:1-3, 11-32: Jesus tells a parable about a father with two sons. The younger wastes his inheritance but is welcomed back with joy when he repents. The older son is resentful, but the father explains the need to celebrate the lost being found.

If your parish is doing the RCIA scrutinies, use the readings for Year A instead.

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C offers lessons about God’s mercy and love. The readings show God’s forgiveness and call us to reconcile with Him and each other.

• God’s Mercy: In the Gospel, the father welcomes back his lost son. This shows God’s endless mercy for those who repent.
• Reconciliation with God: Paul tells us that through Christ, God reconciles the world to Himself. We are called to be reconciled with God and others.
• New Creation in Christ: Paul teaches that anyone in Christ is a new creation. The old is gone and the new is here, showing God’s power to renew.
• Joy of Forgiveness: The parable of the Prodigal Son highlights the joy of forgiveness. Both the father and the son experience joy when forgiveness is given and received.
• Celebration of Renewal: The Israelites celebrate their first Passover in the Promised Land. This marks a new beginning and God’s fulfillment of His promises.
• Generosity of the Father: The father in the Gospel generously forgives his son. This reminds us of God’s generous and unconditional love.

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C encourages us to seek God’s mercy and embrace new life in Christ. It reminds us to celebrate God’s forgiveness and share it with others.

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C.

Lesson Plan on the Prodigal Son

In this lesson plan for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C, the parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us about freedom, duty, and love. The younger son seeks freedom and wastes his inheritance, while the older son is dutiful but resentful.

The father’s generous love and forgiveness reveal that true discipleship requires a loving relationship with God. Without love, both freedom and duty can lead us astray. This lesson helps youth see the importance of balancing freedom and duty with love for God and others.

Pig Food Race

The Pig Food Race is a fun activity for a lesson on the Prodigal Son, perfect for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C. Participants push soft foam balls with their noses, mimicking pigs rooting for food.

This game helps youth understand the younger son’s low point in the parable when he longed to eat pig food. It reinforces the themes of humility and repentance found in the story.

Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession)

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C focuses on reconciliation, as taught in the parable of the Prodigal Son. Consider going to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as a family or with your youth group.

After receiving this beautiful gift of grace, celebrate together by going out for pizza or another fun activity. This helps reinforce the joy and renewal that comes with forgiveness.

Washed Away Prayer Service

The Washed Away Prayer Service is a meaningful way to accompany the Sacrament of Reconciliation or a youth ministry meeting about forgiveness on the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C. The use of water and washing serves as a tangible reminder of how Jesus has washed away our sins through His sacrifice.

This service helps reinforce the themes of repentance and renewal found in the readings. If the Sacrament of Reconciliation is not included, remind participants to go at the next opportunity to receive this grace.

More Lenten Ideas

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C encourages us to continue to explore prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to grow closer to God and serve others. These practices help us respond to Jesus’ call for repentance in the Gospel. Ideas include acts of kindness, dedicated prayer time, and making small sacrifices. Fasting helps us focus on God, while almsgiving shares God’s love with the poor. All Catholics, young and old, can participate in these practices to deepen their faith and compassion.

This article has over 75 ideas. Here are a few:

• Learn a New Prayer
• Start a Prayer Journal

Thanks Be to God My Deliverer

This prayer, “Thanks Be to God My Deliverer,” is based on Psalm 34, the responsorial psalm for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C. It expresses gratitude to God for delivering the weak, broken, and powerless.

The psalm reflects David’s thankfulness when God saved him from his enemies. It encourages us to always praise God, seek His presence, and trust in His protection and love. The prayer reminds us that even in difficulties, God is near, offering comfort and rescue.

Everything He Has Is Yours

In his homily for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C, Bishop Robert Barron reflects on the parable of the Prodigal Son. He explains that the story reveals our relationship with God.

The younger son’s demand for his inheritance and subsequent downfall shows the consequences of rejecting God’s gifts. The father’s open-armed welcome upon the son’s return illustrates God’s boundless mercy. The older son’s resentment highlights the danger of misunderstanding God’s generosity.

Bishop Barron emphasizes that God desires us to be in a loving relationship with Him, giving and receiving His gifts freely.

The Generous Father

In his reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C, Jeff Cavins discusses the parable of the Prodigal Son. He emphasizes the generosity of the father rather than the actions of the younger son. The younger son squanders his inheritance but repents and is warmly welcomed back by his father. The older son, feeling neglected, misunderstands his father’s mercy.

Cavins points out the danger of envy and encourages us to appreciate God’s love for all His children. The second reading from 2 Corinthians complements this, calling us to be ambassadors of reconciliation.

Found Alive Again

In his reflection for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C, Scott Hahn discusses the themes of reconciliation and divine sonship. He connects the forgiveness Israel receives in the First Reading to the repentance seen in the Prodigal Son. Hahn explains that like the Prodigal Son, we too can return to God and reclaim our birthright given in Baptism.

Hahn emphasizes that God desires children, not slaves, and offers reconciliation through the Sacrament of Penance. This allows us to join the Eucharistic celebration, rejoicing in our renewed relationship with God.

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C invites us to reflect on God’s mercy, faithfulness, and the new beginnings He offers us. Through the stories of the Israelites’ first Passover in the Promised Land, the parable of the Prodigal Son, and Paul’s teaching on becoming a new creation in Christ, we learn about God’s constant care and call to reconciliation. These readings remind us of the importance of gratitude, forgiveness, and embracing a renewed life in Christ.

Celebrating New Beginnings

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C highlights the Israelites’ first Passover in the Promised Land. This event marks a new beginning for them and shows God’s faithfulness. He fulfilled His promise to bring them to a land flowing with milk and honey.

This celebration is a powerful reminder of God’s constant care. The Israelites’ journey was long and difficult, but God was always with them. Their first Passover in the Promised Land is a moment of gratitude and renewed hope.

For us, the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C encourages us to reflect on our own journeys. We are reminded of God’s promises and His presence in our lives. Just as the Israelites celebrated their new beginning, we too can find joy in God’s promises and look forward to our own new beginnings with faith and hope.

Embracing Mercy and Forgiveness

The parable of the Prodigal Son, found in the Gospel for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C, is a story with twists, turns, and reversals. It focuses on freedom and duty, showing how God’s mercy can change lives.

The younger son seeks freedom. He wants to live as he wishes, without respect for his father. He even implies that he would prefer his father were dead to claim his wealth. When he returns home, he is more interested in physical comfort than in a relationship with his father.

The older son is dutiful. He serves his father without complaint but harbors resentment. He takes pride in being “the good son” and wishes for a reward. He is driven by his ego and desires to be held in high esteem. He becomes furious when his reckless brother returns and is restored to the same level in the family.

Neither son seems motivated by love. The younger son is selfish, while the older son is prideful. Their actions show a lack of understanding of their father’s love. They focus on themselves rather than their relationship with their father.

The father, however, loves both of his sons dearly. He uses his love to show the proper place of freedom and duty. He is generous and forgiving with his younger son, welcoming him back wholeheartedly. He could have easily been offended by the older brother’s attitude but instead reassures him of his love and shared inheritance.

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C remind us of God’s mercy. They show us the importance of seeking forgiveness and offering it to others. They encourage us to embrace God’s love and to live as new creations in Christ.

This parable encourages us to reflect on our own lives. Are we seeking freedom without responsibility, or are we dutiful without love? Let us strive to find balance, motivated by love, as we follow God’s example of mercy and forgiveness.

New Life in Christ

On the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C, Paul teaches that anyone in Christ is a new creation. The old life is gone, and a new life begins. This shows God’s power to renew us.

In Christ, God reconciles the world to Himself. He calls us to be reconciled with Him and with others. This means healing our relationships and living in peace.

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C remind us of God’s mercy and forgiveness. They encourage us to seek a new beginning in Christ. By embracing this new life, we can grow closer to God and to each other.

The 4th Sunday of Lent Year C offers us profound lessons about God’s unwavering love and mercy. Through the stories of the Israelites’ first Passover, the parable of the Prodigal Son, and Paul’s teaching on new life in Christ, we see the many ways God calls us to renewal and reconciliation. Let us embrace these messages, seek forgiveness, and celebrate the new beginnings God offers us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank You for Your constant care and mercy. Help us to seek new beginnings in You and to forgive others as You forgive us. Guide us to live in peace and love. Amen.

• How does the story of the Israelites’ first Passover inspire you to trust in God’s promises?
• In what ways can you celebrate new beginnings in your own life?
• What does the parable of the Prodigal Son teach you about freedom and duty?
• How can you show mercy and forgiveness to others in your daily life?
• Do you see yourself more in the younger son or the older son? Why?
• How can you balance freedom and responsibility in your relationship with God?
• What steps can you take to reconcile with someone you have wronged?
• How does Paul’s message of being a new creation in Christ impact your faith?
• In what areas of your life do you need God’s renewal?
• How can you live out God’s call to be ambassadors of reconciliation?

The music selections for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C focus on themes of forgiveness, mercy, and renewal. These songs remind us of God’s love and the joy of returning to Him, much like the Prodigal Son. They emphasize compassion, redemption, and the call to turn back to God. The music ranges from uplifting and joyful to reflective and soothing, helping us to connect deeply with the messages of the readings. These selections can enhance the worship experience, reinforcing the themes of reconciliation and God’s unwavering love.

• Amazing Grace / My Chains Are Gone by Chris Tomlin
• Ashes to Ashes by Dan Schutte
• Beautiful Savior
• Break Every Chain by Will Reagan & United Pursuit
• Change Our Hearts by Rory Cooney
• Come as You Are by Crowder
• Come to Jesus by Josh Blakesley
• Flow River Flow by Bob Hurd & Anawim
• Fly Like a Bird by Ken Canedo & Jesse Manibusan
• Glory in the Cross by Dan Schutte
• I Have Loved You by Michael Joncas
• In Christ There Is No East or West by William A. Dunkerley
• Lead Me Home by Matt Maher
• Lift High the Cross by Sydney H. Nicholson
• Lord, Make Us Turn to You by Marty Haugen
• Love Divine All Loves Excelling by Rowland H. Pritchard & Charles Wesley
• Our God Is Here by Chris Muglia
• Psalm 34: Taste and See by Shane & Shane
• Remember Your Love by Darryl Ducote & Gary Daigle
• Somebody’s Knocking at Your Door
• Taste and See by Steve Angrisano
• Taste and See the Goodness of the Lord by Tom Kendzia
• The Cry of the Poor by John Foley
• There Is a Longing by Anne Quigley
• Turn to Me by the St. Louis Jesuits
• Wade in the Water
• Where Charity and Love Prevail

Music directors and musicians are encouraged to try these selections for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C. They can enhance the worship experience and bring the themes of the readings to life. Share your own song choices in the comments to inspire others and create a rich musical environment for this special Sunday.

What date is the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C?

The next date is Sunday March 30, 2025.
For other years see the links below:
4th Sunday of Lent Year A
4th Sunday of Lent Year B

What are the Mass readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C?

First Reading – Joshua 5:9A, 10-12: The End of Manna
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 34: Praise the Lord’s Goodness
Second Reading – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: Be Reconciled to God
Gospel – Luke 15:1-3, 11-32: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
If your parish is doing the RCIA scrutinies, use the readings for Year A instead.

Why did the Israelites celebrate Passover in the first reading for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C?

They celebrated Passover to thank God for bringing them to the Promised Land. It was a way to remember God’s faithfulness.

What is the significance of the “first Passover” in the Promised Land?

It marks a new beginning for the Israelites. It shows God’s promise being fulfilled.

What does Paul mean by “new creation” in the second reading for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C?

Paul means that when we follow Christ, our old sinful life is gone. We start a new life with Jesus.

How can we be “ambassadors for Christ” as Paul says?

We can show others God’s love and forgiveness. We can live in a way that reflects Jesus’ teachings.

Why is reconciliation important as mentioned in the second reading?

Reconciliation heals our relationship with God and others. It brings peace and renewal.

What is the main message of the Gospel on the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C?

The main message is about God’s mercy. The story of the Prodigal Son shows that God forgives us when we repent.

Why did the father in the Gospel forgive his son so easily?

The father represents God, who always welcomes us back with love. It shows that God’s mercy is greater than our sins.

What can we learn from the older brother in the Gospel story?

The older brother reminds us not to be jealous when others receive forgiveness. We should also celebrate God’s mercy.

How does the story of the Prodigal Son apply to our lives?

It shows that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to welcome us back. We should never hesitate to seek His forgiveness.

How can the readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent Year C help us today?

They remind us to seek forgiveness and to forgive others. They encourage us to start anew in Christ.