Starting over can be a difficult event for most of us. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus tells us of the “Prodigal Son” who returns home to his “forgiving father “who has been waiting to celebrate his return.
 
Returning home is the only solution for the younger son in this story. It is not uncommon for one to rehearse what they will say when they finally reach home. The younger son of this story thought that his rehearsed words would open the hearts of the family that he left behind. He wanted to tell his father, “I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” The father’s joy could not hear these words. Instead, a celebration began. The younger son could have never imagined how long the father had been waiting to celebrate his return. 
 
Unfortunately, the reaction of the older brother is more common than we can imagine. There will always be those who will feel rejected when forgiveness and mercy are given to those whom we feel should be punished. God’s way is not our way. The older brother, in effect, disowned his younger brother by saying, “When this son of yours returns after wasting everything, you celebrate him.” He continued, “What about me, who has done everything that you asked and I’m not celebrated.” 
 
The power of this story is forgiveness and the abundant love of the waiting parents. From death to life and from blindness to sight, loving and forgiving is God who, even while we are far away or lost, never gets tired of waiting for our return. None of our families are perfect. We’ve all gone through struggles, disappointments, and pain. We survived these moments by God’s grace. 
 
Who do you identify with the most in this Gospel? The father? The older brother? The younger brother? The “silent mother?”



Save the Date: Spiritan Day of Giving
Learn More