While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.

lke 15:20

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Reflection

Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son. After wasting his inheritance on a loose life, the son returns to his father, who receives him with joy and compassion. The older brother is angered at this, but the father tells him that his brother was lost and now is found.

So many times we are the lost son, running away from our heavenly Father to live a worldly life, only to return shame faced. Yet each time this happens, God looks at us with compassion and love. He does not shame us. Many people believe that God will invoke his wrath on us when we sin, but this is an incorrect concept of God.

He is merciful and rejoices when us sinners return to him, repentant and ready to once again follow him. Even when we turn away from his goodness, God is always ready to receive us back.

Let us always turn to the Father, no matter our past, and recommit to embracing our identity as sons and daughters of God.

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Saint of the Day

St. Nicholas Owen: 1550 – 1606

“With incomparable skill, he knew how to conduct priests to a place of safety along subterranean passages, to hide them between walls and bury them in impenetrable recesses, and to entangle them in labyrinths and a thousand windings.”   Secret Chambers and Hiding Places, speaking about St. Nicholas hiding English priests during the time of Catholic persecution