The Fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally known as Laetare Sunday, so-called from the first word of the antiphon at the Introit. Laetare (“Rejoice”), taken from the Latin translation of Is. 66:10-11, sets a tone of joyful anticipation of the Easter mystery. 

The Gospel tells us about the “parable of the Prodigal Son.” The late Henri Nouwen wrote a beautiful exposition of both Rembrandt’s painting and Jesus’ parable in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. The whole point of the story depicts the overwhelmingly, lavish love of the father on his errant son. This tells us what coming home to God is really like. 

In the words of St. Pope John Paul II, “The father of the prodigal son is faithful to his fatherhood, faithful to the love that he had always lavished on his son.” This faithful love, “the covenant love” of the Old Testament— is a love marked by forgiveness, generosity and affection. It is without equal, and it defines our God. This love is able to reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every moral misery, to sin. When this happens, the person who is object of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and restored to value. Truly, our heavenly Father is “dives in misericordia” (rich in mercy). 

This story is drawn from real life with existing situations and if we are honest, we can see shades of the elder and younger sons in ourselves. We have been wandering, disobedient and selfish children who hold grudges and are unwilling to forgive one another. We have forgotten our ever-loving Father who even after our most stupid mistakes and tragic sins is always ready to welcome us with open arms. 

Lent is our way to return to our Father. While we are on our way to seek God’s mercy and forgiveness, the Father does not wait for us. He goes out—he runs out— to meet us. He does not want to listen to our litany of sins when we pray. He interrupts to tell us how precious we are to Him how glad He is to have us back and how much He is going to do for us. 

Let us pray for the grace “to come our senses,” and return to the Father who awaits us, ready with his forgiveness. This we can do by availing of the Sacrament of Reconciliation during one of the remaining days of Lent so that, we, too, will return to our Father’s home and his loving embrace. The merciful father of the parable reveals the nature of God and challenges us to be forgiving and merciful with one another. 

Peace, Fr. Cosme