The Parable of the Lost Son

How time flies so fast these days… we’re now on the 4th Sunday of Lent and as we came into the month of March, the gospel reading turns to a discussion about repentance. When the Catholic Church teaches its flock about repentance… it gives us the story given no less by our Lord Jesus Christ himself in the Parable of the Lost Son, which is also known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, which I know that most Christians probably know by heart. You can read in Luke 15:1-3,11-32.

“The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to [Jesus], 2 but the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So to them [Jesus] addressed this parable. 11 “A man had two sons, 12 and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’

So the father divided the property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need.

17 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”

20 So he got up and went back to his father. 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. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you, I no longer deserve to be called you son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

25 Now the older son… became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31 He said to him, “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

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I really don’t know how many times I must have read and wrote about this wonderful story of forgiveness. But since it’s the gospel reading for today, I will still interpret this parable in my own humble, but lay mind. First of all, our Lord is giving us an insight of the love of God the Father… after all, he really is the father in this parable. That our Father God allows us to stray and would even give us what we want like material goods, which for sure he knows in his heart that we would squander in a life of wanton disregard.

But then, just like all the things that happen in our very material world, more often than not, the world collapses upon us. We either suffer from an unexpected health problem or figure in a financial disaster or even fall victim to a natural disaster and all of the sudden, the good life just vanishes right before our very eyes. Without any money, the prostitutes would not even give you a second look! But in our darkest moments, when things become hopeless, all God needs from us is our repentance and a contrite heart.

This is exactly what the young son experienced while he was dying of hunger after a life of total abandonment. So the young man got back to his senses and realized the huge mistake he had committed. Believing that his father was no longer happy with him, he was willing to return home and not be treated like the son anymore, but like his father’s servants.

As he was nearing home, his father caught sight of him and ran towards him to embrace and kiss him and even prepared a banquet for him. Yet the son still made his confession to his father, but clearly, the father had already forgiven and forgotten the past and was just too happy to see the young son return to him. This act of mercy and forgiveness resulted in a negative reaction by the older brother, who clearly had no forgiveness in him. This is why in the Lord’s Prayer we pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.”  Forgiveness comes from a contrite heart.

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