Our Prodigal Father

We all know the parable of the prodigal son told in Luke 15:11-32. To briefly recap, the parable tells of a son who squanders his inheritance, is forced to endure dire circumstances after all his money is depleted, and, upon recognizing the error of his ways, returns home to His compassionate father who not only forgives him, but lavishes him with the best in celebration of his return.

I had the opportunity this weekend to attend mass with a good friend at St. Richards in Palmetto Bay, Florida. The priest discussed this parable but shed a new light on the often-told story.  In the story, the father was able to forgive his prodigal son because, just like the son, he was also prodigal. Prodigal? How’s that? Doesn’t “prodigal” mean something bad, something negative? The Oxford dictionary describes prodigal as “wastefully extravagant; having or giving something on a lavish scale; excessively generous.” In the parable, when the wayward son returns home, his father lavishly adorns him with the very best.

“Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.” (Luke 15:22-23)

More importantly, the father surpasses him in prodigality because He is extravagant in his mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness towards his undeserving son.  In this parable, Jesus gives us a glimpse into the heart of our heavenly Father whose love for us is abundant and knows no boundaries.  If we reflect on how much we love our own children and what we would do or sacrifice for their happiness, we still will not scratch the surface in comprehending our Father’s endless love for all of us.  Think about it. “God so loved the world that He gave us his one and only Son” (John 3:16).  His one and only Son! That is excessive love! If He can sacrifice his only Son for us, think of how much He can give us; how much He wants to give us. God desires to meet our needs and more than that, he longs to gives us the desires of our hearts.

Is there a need or desire in your life that you have not taken to the Lord? Ask your Heavenly Father today, knowing that He loves you and longs to bless you……abundantly.

Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies Psalm 36:5

Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends John 15:13

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.” Lamentations 3:22-25

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)