The parable in this week’s gospel tells us about the experience of being loved. It is about a father who shares his love equally with both his sons and as they mature into adulthood, he gives them space to make their own decisions.

But the younger son decides he wants to have his own life and so he moves away and becomes disconnected from his father and brother. The oldest son, however, decides to remain loyal and to serve his father. But one day after arriving home after a day working in the fields, he becomes angry after seeing his father embrace his younger brother who has returned home. 

It seems unbelievable that his father would welcome the younger sibling because he turned his back on his father and the family home. However, this is where we witness God’s mercy which goes beyond our human thoughts and standards. Seeing his younger son coming towards him, his father runs to him, welcoming and hugging him with tremendous joy and love. To his relief, the younger son finds his father is still the same loving and merciful man.

His father can’t hide his joy so he throws a party to celebrate his son’s return. The younger son feels even more loved by his father than before he left the family property. The oldest son is invited to join the celebrations but refuses and complains that he has served his father loyally all his life but has never been treated like a king. Why would the younger brother be treated like a king when he turned his back on his father? It doesn’t make sense!

At this moment he doesn’t feel loved even though he experienced his father’s care all his life. Both sons at different times fail to see the deepest generosity of their father’s heart. The father knows that if they are away and lose contact with him, they will die. They will have no life.

The younger son experienced this scenario which is why his father is so happy when he returns. The elder son, momentarily blinded by envy and jealousy, already has a wonderful life with his father but fails to see this.

Likewise, we are all safe in God’s house who loves us so much we have the freedom to make our own decisions. Coming home is really a journey of love. It takes a lot of courage as the younger son showed. The parable also reveals that staying with the father can provide great joy and the fullness of life.

God the Father never changes his love for us.

He is always waiting for us. Let us make the move and go back home to renew our relationship with God the Father, in order to experience his unconditional love and mercy, and be ready to share God’s life with others, especially with the wounded ones.                                                                                 

Redempt Jawa CSsR

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