Today the Scriptures are indeed rich in meaning.

The First Reading: The Golden Calf.

Who might be the golden calves today?

GUNS Would certainly qualify. We live in a society where guns are idolized.

 In Arizona where Representative Gabby Giffords was gunned down,
the Republican Party issued a campaign poster showing Kirkpatrick, who is running for the Senate, pictured in a "Wanted Poster" punctured with bullet holes!

Guns in the USA are some of our most prized possessions.
They are loved and cherished as was the first golden calf.

Today's Gospel: We have the beautiful story of the Prodigal Son.

Rembrandt painted a portrait of this parable, showing the prodigal son leaning into the Father's embrace, with the glowering and angry older brother standing in the darkness.

The angry brother might well symbolize so many today who angrily shout, "Build the wall."

In my book, The Amazing Love of Dogs and God, I dared to write that perhaps an even more powerful image of that scene might be the welcome extended by his dog to his master upon his return from a long journey.

The Greek poet, Homer, acknowledged this in his epic novel with the old dog Argos greeting his master upon his return from the wars.

So today we pray:

O God, deliver us from idols
And welcome us into your embrace.
Amen