Today’s Gospel is all about forgiveness and mercy. We read once again about the prodigal son, who takes his inheritance and squanders it. In Jesus’ day, a son would not obtain his inheritance until his father’s death; the mere fact that this son asked for his inheritance shows a marked disrespect for his father. Having received it, he wasted it on various sinful acts. Only when he was destitute and starving, did he “come to his senses”; did he realize his mistake and feel sorrow and shame and long to return to the love of his father, or was his return home simply driven by hunger? No matter, is father welcomed him joyfully and celebrated with gladness.
How often do we turn from God? Perhaps not as blatantly as the son in this parable, but how often do we waste the gifts that God has given us…our time, talents, and treasure…on things other than what God is calling us to do? Lent is our season to reflect on our lives, to genuinely repent (as we hope the son in this story did) and return to our Father and to Jesus. God longs for us to turn to Him. It’s never too late, and there isn’t anything He won’t forgive if we but ask with a contrite heart and a desire to change. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to come to Easter knowing that we gave God another reason to rejoice…to say “this is my beloved son or daughter, in whom I am greatly pleased?” My hope is that we may all succeed this Lenten season.