We’re all familiar with the story of the prodigal son. After squandering his share of the family inheritance with a shameful lifestyle, the younger son returns to his father, expecting rejection. The father, upon seeing his son’s return, rejoices and throws an extravagant party. The elder son, filled with anger at the compassion his father shows to his younger son, refuses to join the party.

The love the father shows his son reflects the love God showers upon us all. This Gospel passage is rich in imagery, but I want to focus on the elder son’s relationship with his brother. He never greets or even acknowledges his brother’s return. When speaking about him, he doesn’t say, “my brother,” but distances himself with the phrase, “But when your son returns.”

I’m sure anyone with siblings can relate. When we fight with our siblings, we no longer think of them as our brother or sister. It’s the father who must recall the relationship and the love it warrants: “now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again.”

In the eyes of God, we are all brothers and sisters. Yet we easily forget this, especially when it comes to how we treat the most vulnerable in our society. How can we remember our common kinship? In his 2025 message for Lent, Pope Francis stated, “It would be a good Lenten exercise for us to compare our daily life with that of some migrant or foreigner, to learn how to sympathize with their experiences and in this way discover what God is asking of us so that we can better advance on our journey to the house of the Father.”

There are many ways we can get to know migrants, refugees, and immigrants. It may be as easy as talking with our neighbor or co-worker. Or we can spend time volunteering with an organization that serves the most vulnerable. Or we can learn about their stories with the help of the internet. Adit fled South Sudan when she was just 9 years old and now lives in Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp where she pursues education. As you listen to her story, what are her dreams? Her challenges? Do you see God welcoming Adit with joy? Do you see Adit as your sister?