The parable of the prodigal son is one that we have heard many times before. In our Lenten journey I thought it might be helpful to place ourselves in this parable. You see, there are times in our lives where we are the older brother, the faithful one, always doing the father’s will, but at times lost in our own pride and feelings of superiority. There are times when we fall into the camp of the prodigal son, wasting the love and treasury we have been given on selfish pursuits, so blind to our passions that we end up alone and alienated from those who love us.

Most importantly God wants us to mimic His love. We mimic God’s love when we try to become the father in this parable, patiently waiting to forgive both his sons. Always understanding, always forgiving, because that is the goal of love. That is heavenly love.

So often when I am hearing confessions, I seem to use the same phrase: try to mirror what God so freely gives us to the people in your life. We can be like the father in this parable, because we have experienced God’s patience, God’s mercy, and God’s forgiveness. Try to mirror those Divine gifts back to the people in your life.

There will still be times when the prodigal son rears his head in our lives, still there will be times when the pride of the faithful son blinds our compassion, or wounds or ego. While we are an amalgamation of all three characters in this parable, let us try to more consistently be the person mimicking the love of God to those around us.

Pastor’s mini rant: As a priest, I often have to have tough conversations with people. I have to weigh what the church requires and where they are at. Being pastoral means fidelity to the church, while offering a path towards resolution. I am often disheartened by people thinking if they cannot have their way, in their timing, that I am not listening or that I am uncaring. Priestly love requires truth and a corrective path, or it is nothing more than license.

May the Love, Peace and Grace of God be with you,

Fr. Adam