By FR. RICHARD D. BRETON, Jr.
Over the last few weeks, the readings for daily Mass have offered us a much-needed opportunity to reflect on God’s mercy. So often we can take for granted the mercy God is willingly offering us. Sometimes I hear people ask, where in the bible does God talk about mercy. God’s abundance of mercy can be found in both the Old and New Testaments. Just like Jesus did over two-thousand years ago, today we will hear of the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
The Parable of the Prodigal Son, also known as the Parable of the Lost Son, is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus’ public ministry, because it teaches us lessons we can use in life as we wander down the path of our Christian way. The beauty of the Parable of the Prodigal Son offers us the opportunity to reflect on whom we mirror in our lives, the prodigal child, or the good child?
Let’s take a moment and read the parable: Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against Heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’” (Luke 15:11-21:22).
In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a father has two sons. His younger son asks for his share of money, then leaves town and squanders all the money on a life of dissipation and sin and becomes destitute. He decides that life would be better being one of his father’s servants. So he comes to his senses and decides to return home and apologize to his father.
When the father sees him arriving home, he calls for a celebration that angers the older brother, who had been faithful to his father all his lifelong. The father consoles the older son by reminding him he has always loved him and everything the father has is his, but they must celebrate that the lost child has been found.
Cause For Celebration
In reading the parable, we might ask ourselves, what exactly is a prodigal? A prodigal is a person who squanders money recklessly and selfishly, then comes to regret their foolish behavior. Today, the term prodigal has come to represent the repentant return of a person, no matter the reasons they left in the first place. People with various addictions can often fall into this category. For those who believe in Christ, even this kind of life can be redeemed.
Like all the other parables, there is a reason why Jesus taught this particular one. The main message of The Prodigal Son revolves around God’s unconditional mercy and love. In fact, it doesn’t matter how far we stray from our Heavenly Father or how much we squander the gifts He provides, He is always delighted when we turn back to Him. His unconditional love is waiting for us to return home where He greets us with open arms. Every lost child, a sinner, meaning each of us who is found (turns to God), is cause for the greatest celebration.
One interesting aspect of the Parable of the Prodigal Son is that we either relate to the “good” child or the “prodigal” child. Our perspective can change at various points in our lives, so it’s helpful to understand the parable from both perspectives. Whichever son we relate to may change depending on where we are in our journey of faith.
At times, we may be seeking God in earnest and relate to the older son. Other times, we may have let the priorities of the world come between us and God and we may relate more to the prodigal son. In any case, the parable speaks to all of us, no matter our perspective.
If you relate to the prodigal son, look inside, find God dwelling there and try to see the beauty He knows is inside of you, even if it’s hidden from your own eyes. God knows our self-worth, even if we fail to recognize it ourselves. All we need to do is ask Him for forgiveness through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and welcome Him into our hearts once again. If we do this, He will forgive us!
If you feel you are the “good” child, look no further than within your own heart. Are you happy with how the Father is treating you on a daily basis — by providing food and shelter, a job, a family, His unconditional love, comfort, and grace? I believe the answer would be YES for most people. God has given us everything we need — and more. Be grateful for those gifts God has blessed you with.
Sometimes, however, we hold a grudge against others. This accomplishes nothing more than putting a barrier between us and God. Besides, one day, it might be us needing forgiveness and won’t we be thankful when Jesus welcomes us back with open arms. Know that He is waiting for you with open arms. If we are the prodigal son, which we all are at some point due to our sin, be grateful for the unconditional love and forgiveness that will greet you when you come back home. Make a concerted effort to curb further temptation that leads us to sin.
No matter how close we think we are to God, rest assured, He loves us with agape love that’s greater than we can even comprehend. When we fall, he’ll be there to catch us. When we stray (and we probably all will), he welcomes us back. His love for us is independent of any other relationship He has. You are all His number one!
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