https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032722-YearC.cfm
I quote:
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.
The parable of The Prodigal Son speaks to our need to own up to, or acknowledge our poor choices, our self destructive behaviour when approaching Our Father asking for His forgiveness having earlier rejected His loving support and protection. We also understand that when we return to Our Father's embrace, He welcomes us with His understanding acceptance that we are back living in His tender, loving care. Our past mistakes cease to have any influence on how Our Father treats us. Our Father wipes our slate clean.
Today's readings are also a reminder that there is another story embodied within the good news that The Prodigal returned to his Father's protection. The resentful older son receives a few wise words from his dad, making it clear that all that his father possesses is his to share...with his brother.
The Prodigal Son is a lesson in our absolute need to come to terms with our own shortcomings, our self focus, our belief that we are smart enough to make our way through our life's journey...without needing Our Father's practical counselling.
Today's parable is for our benefit inviting us to return to Our Father's protection, emulating His loving behaviour by being magnanimous with all who seek our forgiveness for hurting us.
Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured. ~ Mark Twain
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