Forgiveness
Parable of the Prodigal Son
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.
When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything…
So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
Luke 15:11-24
We are all the prodigal son. Who among us has not demanded that life offer us more than God has given us? More favor, friends, money, love, success, happiness, comfort?
Once our hearts are fixed on a source of satisfaction apart from God, we begin the journey along with the prodigal to a “distant country.” We move—sometimes slowly, sometimes quickly—away from our father, the one who loves us.
In Greek, the word for sin, ἁμαρτία, means “missing the mark.” The prodigal, like each of us, misses the mark. Seeking happiness, he finds ruin. Seeking love, joy, contentment, he gives himself over to sin and death.
Famine strikes the distant land. “He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.” The emptiness of the world he committed his heart to is revealed. It is a hungry land, a desolate and un-nourishing world. So it is with sin. If you entered this chapel room, chances are you’ve discovered that for yourself already.
Continued below…
But this is not the end of the story.
In the midst of his suffering, the son “returns to himself,” which is another way of saying that he remembered who he truly is—a child of the Father, one who bears His holy image. And so the prodigal decides to go home.
You see, that is all that is required of us.
We only need to begin, in our weakness, to turn towards God, and he rushes out to meet us.
There is no need to punish ourselves or wallow in the misery of our situation. If sin is missing the mark, then its opposite is redirecting our aim towards home, towards the good and bountiful mercy of the one who never stopped loving us.
The father rejoices in our return and lavishes us with far more than we deserve or expect. The prodigal thought he would work as a servant in his father’s home, but instead a ring is placed on his finger and a feast is prepared, as the father cries aloud: “…let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found!”
Return to the house of the Lord! He has forgiven you and is already rushing out to meet you.
“…let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’
And they began to celebrate.’”
Luke 15:11-24
Prayer for Forgiveness
By St. Ambrose of Milan
