The Prodigal Son's Return: A Story of Mercy, Forgiveness, and the Father’s Love

The following was a homily that Fr. Wainio preached on the fourth Sunday of Lent (Sunday, March 30, 2025)

The parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most beloved stories in Scripture, and for good reason. It speaks to the depths of God’s mercy, the reality of human weakness, and the challenge of true forgiveness.

The Younger Son: Our Own Wandering Hearts

The story begins with the younger son asking for his inheritance while his father is still alive—a request that, in effect, says, “I wish you were dead.” He takes his share, leaves home, and wastes everything on reckless living. We can all relate to this son in some way. How often do we turn away from God, seeking happiness in things that cannot truly satisfy? We take the gifts God gives us—our time, talents, relationships—and sometimes squander them on things that pull us away from Him.

But when the younger son hits rock bottom, starving and feeding pigs (an unthinkable job for a Jew), he comes to his senses. He realizes that even his father’s servants are better off than he is. He decides to return—not expecting to be treated as a son, but hoping only for mercy.

The Prodigal's Return - Edward Poynter (1869)

The Father: A Love That Runs to Us

The most beautiful moment in the parable is the father’s response. Jesus tells us that “while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.” In the culture of that time, it was undignified for an elder to run. But the father doesn’t care about appearances—his love is greater than his dignity. He doesn’t wait for his son to crawl back in shame; he rushes out to meet him.

This is how God the Father loves us. No matter how far we’ve strayed, He is always looking for us, waiting to welcome us home. The moment we turn back, He runs to us with open arms. His mercy is never hesitant, never reluctant—only full, overflowing, and freely given.

The Older Son: The Struggle to Forgive

Then there’s the older son. He’s the one who never left home, never wasted his father’s money, and yet, when he sees the celebration for his wayward brother, he is filled with resentment. “I have served you all these years and never disobeyed you,” he says, “and yet you never gave me so much as a young goat to celebrate with my friends.”

We might sympathize with him. It seems unfair. But his reaction reveals a heart that does not fully understand his father’s love. He sees his relationship with his father as based on work and reward rather than love and grace.

How often do we fall into this mindset? We might compare ourselves to others—“I go to Mass, I follow the commandments, why does God seem to bless others who don’t?” But the father’s words are key: “My son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” The older son had already received everything; he just didn’t recognize it.

The Invitation: Join the Feast

This parable invites us to see ourselves in both sons. Like the younger son, we all need to repent and return to the Father’s love. Like the older son, we need to open our hearts to mercy—not just for ourselves, but for others.

And most importantly, it invites us to rejoice in God’s mercy. The father throws a feast—not because his son deserved it, but because love rejoices when the lost are found. Jesus is telling us that heaven itself celebrates every sinner who repents. Sound familiar? It should!

Our Hevenly Father has given us a feast that we celebrate each and every Sunday - some of us each and every day - a feast that we truly do not deserve. Yet, God continues to love each and everyone of us that he gave his only Son, Jesus Christ, as a sacrificial feast that we might to celebrate and be fed. Do you share in the joy of our own feast?

Today, let us ask for the grace to return to God with confidence in His mercy. And let us also ask for hearts that can rejoice when others receive that same mercy. Because in the end, what matters most is not who has done more, but who is willing to enter the Father’s house and share in His joy.