Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, I hope you know that the Lord loves you. We will reflect on the profound teachings found in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son, as recounted in the Gospel of Luke. This parable not only speaks to the depths of human experience—especially our relationship with sin, straying from God’s right path, and homecoming—but more importantly, it reveals His boundless love and mercy.
In the first reading from Joshua, the Israelites who had wandered for years in the desert finally celebrate the Passover in the land promised to them. The Lord declares, “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.” This pivotal moment marks a transition from a life of wandering and shame to one of abundance and grace. Similarly, in our Gospel, we see the Prodigal Son, a man who wandered far from his father, squandering the gifts given to him, only to arrive at a point of realization and repentance.
In both readings, we see a pattern — a movement: from bondage to freedom, from sin to reconciliation. This is the essence of our Lenten journey—a time to taste and see the goodness of the Lord, as the Responsorial Psalm beautifully proclaims.
The younger son’s request for his inheritance while his father is still alive is both shocking and disrespectful. It symbolizes our own tendency to chase fleeting pleasures over the immense love of our Heavenly Father. Yet, this son’s journey of squandering all that he has reminds us that often, it is in our deepest despair that we come to recognize our need for God and to return to his goodness.
We hear that “when he came to his senses,” the son decided to return home. How many times have we decided to “return home” after allowing ourselves to be lost in days of excessive and dangerous pleasures. How refreshing was the house of our father and mother? Or maybe, it was a difficult situation at home that had a part in our seeking those escapes in the first place? Either way, we wandered into the darknesses of what is considered the total opposite of a loving home.
As the prodigal son approaches, the father sees him from a distance and is filled with compassion. He runs to him, embraces him, and celebrates his return. This reaction is astonishing—fathers in that culture did not run, especially to a wayward son. Yet, God’s love is not bound by societal norms or expectations; it transcends our understanding.
This brings us to an essential teaching: God delights in our return. No matter how far we think we’ve strayed, His arms are always open wide, ready to receive us. In this, we are reminded of the message of reconciliation that St. Paul speaks of in our second reading. We are “ambassadors for Christ,” tasked with sharing this message of love and forgiveness with those around us.
We must also consider the older son in the parable, who represents those who remain faithful yet struggle with feelings of resentment and entitlement. Despite his loyalty, he fails to grasp the depth of his father's love. When faced with the joy of his brother’s return, he withdraws in anger.
This aspect of the parable challenges us as a community of faith. Are we sometimes like the elder brother, quick to judge or unwilling to forgive? We are called to embrace not only the prodigal but also our brothers and sisters who may not share our journey of faith in the same way. In doing so, we participate in the celebration of God’s grace.
As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us reflect deeply on the incredible love God has for each of us—a love so great that it beckons us back home no matter how far we’ve strayed. Let us respond to that love with open hearts, extend it to others, and savour the feast of life that awaits us in Christ.
May we taste and see the goodness of the Lord, recognizing that we are always invited back to the embrace of the Father who has always loved us. Amen.
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