The Repentant Son and the Merciful Father

03-30-2025Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, a father has two sons, and the younger son claims his inheritance in advance, contrary to Jewish custom. By right, the first-born son should inherit most of the wealth, and the younger son has no right to demand his inheritance.

Based on the cultural standards of the time, the older son is the picture of an ideal son. He is obedient and works hard, even though he rightly shares most of the inheritance. But he shall acknowledge the first son by giving him a double portion of all that he owns, for he is the first fruits of his strength; the right of the first-born is his (Dt. 21:17).

What the younger son did was not right. It was selfish and insulting to the father. By asking for an early distribution of inheritance, he insulted and disrespected his father’s honor and authority. His desire for independence brought dishonor and showed a total lack of sensitivity toward the aging father.

After receiving his share, he proceeds to squander everything on a life of debauchery in another country. The parable shows the sad reality of a family coming from the same roots, like the brothers, but growing to have different values and life directions. From the same dirt, produce fruits of every kind.

Most parents try their best to raise good and God-fearing children. Parents, do your best and leave the rest to God. A wise priest once said: No matter what or who the children will turn out to be, keep the mind and the spirit of the loving father in the parable, and you will have no regrets. Do not fault parents for loving much and loving more.

A reflection of the extraordinary mercy of God the Father, as portrayed in the parable, shows how His compassion moves the prodigal son to conversion. This story has become a classic model of a change of heart (metanoia). The heart journeys from the dryness of the spirit caused by a wasteful life to the joy of the soul forgiven and restored by God. Like the joy of the household in the parable: “I say to you, there shall be joy like this in Heaven over one sinner who returns home, more than the ninety-nine righteous ones who do not need a homecoming.” (Lk. 15:7)

The parable shows the father never losing hope and never stopping his love for the younger son, believing in his inner goodness. This is a good reminder to all of us to never stop trusting that anyone can change or convert, that goodness begets goodness, and love begets love in His own time. Yes! Everything is possible in God: In His time - He makes all things beautiful.

The parable also presents several elements of loving. The first element of love is respect. By asking for his inheritance early, the younger son disrespected the honor of the patriarch. The second element is trust. The son distrusts the generosity of the father by advancing his share. The last element of love is gratitude. The ungrateful son gets his share of the wealth, leaves unmindful of the hurt he caused, and squanders everything, showing a lack of concern for the father's well-being.

The love of the father shows us what real love is. First, he still respects the son when he welcomes him back with much love and compassion. He orders the servants to do likewise. Second, he welcomes him back, restores his trust and confidence, and embraces him back into the fold. Third, in an unbelievable act, the father displays his gratitude to God because the son returns and gives a big feast serving the fattened calf as a thanksgiving for his son being back. Because the brother was dead and had come to life; he was lost and now found.

It is also a parable of hope. Jesus understands our weaknesses, reluctance, and hesitation to repent because of our pride, insecurity, or hopelessness. He never gives up. Like the loving Father, He waits for us to turn around and welcomes us back without conditions, ready to show mercy and restore us to our dignity of being His sons and daughters.

Our God is loving, merciful, and ever-compassionate.