No Place Like
Home!
Mich
7:14-15.18-20; Ps 102; Lk 15:1-3. 11-32
Each of us is
familiar with the story of the prodigal son. There are three characters in this
story: The forgiving father, the younger son, and the older son. Each of these
characters has a message for us.
The father of
the prodigal son represents God the Father, who created man with freedom of
choice. We always abuse this freedom, but he is always waiting at the gate in
great expectation for our return. When sin has robbed us good name, baptismal
purity, good conscience, God still extends his fatherly hands to welcome us and
clothe us with the garment of salvation.
The action of
the rebellious younger son represents sinners who lavish the abundant grace of
God and wastes his love by sinning. We often find people today who say, “I have
the right to do anything with my body”, “fornication and adultery is a matter
of choice”, “am old enough to be responsible for my actions”, “might is right”,
etc. These are a kind of rebellion against God. After living a life of
debauchery, the young man is gripped with nostalgia for home. There is a
longing in every sinner which only God can fill.
The attitude of
the elder brother describes the attitude of those who are filled with
indignation at the repentance of sinners. This is the problem of the Pharisees
and scribes of Jesus’ time whose legalistic jealousy excludes sinners from
salvation.
There is no
place like home. Home is state of grace. If you think immorality is sweet, then
you have not tried chastity. If you think your sin can never be forgiven, then
you have not tried God’s mercy. If you think there is enough time for enjoyment
of sin and for repentance, then pray you have the opportunity like the prodigal
son to return home before death knocks.
