The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most profound and tender illustrations of God’s mercy in all of Scripture. In Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, Jesus reveals to us not just the story of two brothers, but the heart of a father who loves beyond measure. This father, waiting daily for the return of his wayward son, mirrors God’s patient and enduring love for each one of us.
The younger son’s decision to leave home and squander his inheritance represents our own tendencies to turn away from God, seeking happiness in things that ultimately leave us empty. He returns not out of pure repentance but out of desperation. And yet, the father’s response is overwhelming. He runs to his son, embraces him, restores his dignity by clothing him with fine garments, and celebrates his return with a great feast. This is God’s mercy: freely given, undeserved, and overflowing. He does not wait for us to prove ourselves worthy. His love is not dependent on our perfection but on His desire to restore us as His children.
But the parable doesn’t end there. The elder son’s reaction reveals another struggle—the temptation to limit God’s mercy, to withhold forgiveness from others because we feel they are less deserving. The elder son has been faithful in duty but closed in heart. He cannot rejoice in his brother’s return because he has forgotten the true nature of his relationship with his father, seeing it more as an obligation than a loving bond.
We may find ourselves in the shoes of either son. Sometimes, we wander far from God, making choices that hurt ourselves and others. Other times, we stand in judgment of those we deem less worthy of God’s forgiveness, thinking our own goodness entitles us to more. But God’s invitation is to both sons — to all of us — to enter into the joy of His mercy.
What strikes us most is the freedom God gives us, even to make mistakes. Like the father in the parable, God allows us to choose our path, never forcing us to stay, but always longing for our return. His love is steadfast. He watches the horizon each day, hoping to catch a glimpse of us coming home. When we do, he runs to us, embraces us, and restores our dignity as his beloved children.
During this Lenten season, we are called to a deeper conversion, to return to the Father with all our heart. Whether we feel like the prodigal son, unworthy and ashamed, or like the elder son, hardened by self-righteousness, God’s mercy is there for us. Jesus himself is the Servant-Son who leads us back to the Father. Through his cross and resurrection, he prepares the banquet of forgiveness and joy.
Let us reflect: How do we allow the gaze of the Father to touch our hearts? What can I do today to reject sin and negotiate my pride, and relate with people in humility and trust? And may Mary, Mother of Mercy, accompany us in our attempts to make the ‘U’ turn to return to the Father’s House.
Father Josekutty Mathew CMF
