The Prodigal Son
This Gospel reading provides an observation on the nature of our sinfulness, the mercy of our heavenly Father in light of that sinfulness, and the beauty we encounter when we finally come home to God’s mercy.
The story has three main characters, all of whom we can relate to at one time or another in our lives. One wants forgiveness, another wants to give it and the third begrudges that his father’s forgiveness is so easily given.
The father has been horribly wronged by his youngest son. When the son returns home begging forgiveness, the story describes the unconditional love of the father, how complete his forgiveness of his son is, and how liberating that forgiveness can be. Just like our heavenly father who loves us unconditionally with a love we can never be worthy of. God doesn’t give up hope when we stray, he truly rejoices in finding us and leading us home. Are you like the father, are you able to give without wanting anything in return and love without putting any conditions on your love? Can you still love someone who turns their back on you and forgive them?
The older son complained that he hasn’t gotten the proper recognition from his father for all he has done. If we’re honest, we’ve all felt like the older brother at some point in our lives. How many times have you been jealous, envious, and/or angry because God gave someone else what we thought we deserved? Are there times when we’ve preferred to wallow in our anger and grief rather than forgive and move on?
Finally we have the younger son, the sinner, the wastrel, whose life evolves into a pathetic state due to his selfishness. He’s an example of what happens when we turn away from the love of God in our lives. When he reaches rock bottom he repents and is given a clean slate by the father. Through repentance he gets a second chance and the duty to become a new man and forget his evil ways. All of us have sinned and offended God at one time or another and God has forgiven us through the sacrament of Penance. Do you know the joy of repentance and the restoration of your relationship with God? Have you ever experienced this kind of mercy? Have you ever shown it? Is there someone in your life who might be liberated and lifted up if you showed him/her a taste of mercy?
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