In all the scriptures for this Saturday, God’s mercy and forgiveness form a unifying theme, culminating in the well known and well loved parable of the prodigal son. But the truths revealed in this Saturday’s readings go deeper and more complex than God’s mercy in just forgiveness of sins. Of course perhaps we all can identify with the younger brother who is forgiven his many sins. But I pondered what gave him the nerve or perhaps courage to ask his father for half the inheritance destined for him before his father died? Was there something about his father that indicated a request like that would not be met with punishment or derision? Do I dare to ask God for my inheritance? And what IS my inheritance, anyway? Grace. Love. Peace. His Son, the Christ. The sacraments making real for me all those gifts. The list is long.

One aspect of the gospel for today struck me…the image of the father seeing from afar his wayward son returning . I can picture the father eagerly sighting him who he had waited for perhaps for years. He runs to embrace his son…..he is all love, all forgiveness, all joy that his son has returned. I hope all that read this may have experienced something like this from a parent. Surely we can all hope to experience this from our loving Lord. I remember a wonderful father figure whom I used to visit many miles away. His kindness and wisdom molded me in many ways, and when he was struck with cancer I made the trip to see him often. Even as he weakened, he was determined to go outside and wait on his lawn for me to arrive, and to follow me with his gaze as I drove away. His fidelity and compassion always reminded me of the father of the prodigal son. He is gone to be with his loving Lord now, but when guests leave my house I always wait outside for them until they are out of sight.

Have you ever identified with the older son? The one who always did his father’s will and never asked for a thing? Who resented the love heaped on his younger brother? His concern for himself and what he didn’t receive blinded him to what he had been receiving all along. The father reassures him that “everything I have is yours.” Everything, not just half! Maybe if he had only asked…….