An Invitation to Mercy

In this gospel, we once again hear the parable of the prodigal son. We hear how the son asks for his inheritance prematurely before his father’s death and then proceeds to squander it all on a lifestyle of excess and luxury. When the wayward son had spent all he had, he realizes just how far he has fallen from grace into a state of desolation and despair. It is at this point that the prodigal son decides to return to his father’s household to apologize and devote himself to his father’s services.

I think a lot of us have been in a situation where we have done certain things that have disappointed and even hurt the ones we are closest to. I can only imagine what the prodigal son was thinking as he was travelling back to his father’s house. He was probably thinking to himself, “I am such a disappointment. I no longer deserve to be considered a part of this family because of what I have done.” Many Christians today often feel this way when they have fallen into a state of sin and sometimes are so ashamed that they feel like they cannot be forgiven for the actions they have committed. This is not the case however with God.

As we see in this parable, “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). God runs to us as well to embrace us and to welcome us home with a banquet! What kind of love is this?! This is the love of a God who longs for us. A God that loves us so much that no sin could ever change the way we are loved.

This is a fitting theme for the Year of Mercy declared by Pope Francis. We are called to love and to forgive those who have hurt us or have disappointed us. To rebuild relationships that have been damaged or broken. To invite those who have fallen away to enter into a new sense of mercy and to work towards reconciliation with others so that they may encounter Christ in a renewed and more profound way. As we continue with our Lenten journey and approach Easter, let our prayer be one of seeking, spreading and receiving God’s message of love and mercy.