The prodigal son and the Merciful Father

3/30/25

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers." 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. Luke 15:18-20

Several years ago, I recall a Children's Mass which my husband and I witnessed something beautiful. The Second Reading was to be  read by one of the children, a young boy, who looked like he might be ten years old.  The boy stood up to the microphone, looked at the Reading and said, "A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul." Than he looked up at the people in the church, dropped his head and froze. The adult lector stood by trying to encourage him, but the young boy was frozen in fear. Out of the crowd, came the little boy's father. He stood next to his son, put his arm around him and the father read the Reading. After the Reading, the father scooped up the little boy in his arms and returned to their seats. The father’s actions helped his son in the same way the Merciful Father did for the prodigal son.

The priest said that God will never leave us alone. He said during the Stations of the Cross, God sent people to help Jesus. God sent Mary, His Mother, to comfort Him, He sent Simon of Cyrene to help Him carry the Cross and He sent Veronica to wipe His face with a cloth. They came out of the crowd to comfort and strengthen Jesus. God took action.  He said, today we saw God's action during the Second Reading, in the midst of the challenge, The father came forward from the crowd, placed his arm around his little boy and took the necessary action. In the same way, God, the Father, acts and will never leave us alone. He comes to us every time we face a challenge, just like the little boy's father came to help him.

Today ponder the ways you have turned away from the Father. He never stops looking for you. He is patient, merciful and forgiving. Imagine turning back to Him and you see Him coming toward you. He runs to you, embraces and kisses you. He is always ready to bring you home into the safety of His embrace. Rest in His love.