Luke 15:1–3, 11–32
REFLECT
When Pope Benedict XVI made a visit during Lent in 2007 to Casal del Marmo, Rome’s prison for minors, there in the Chapel of the Merciful Father he read the parable of the prodigal son and preached on it. Pope Benedict told those young people that this passage helps us understand who God is: “He is the merciful Father who in Jesus loves us beyond all measure.” But the parable also tells us who we are. We are made free, Pope Benedict says, but we were not made to be alone. On the contrary, “only in being with others, in giving ourselves to others, do we find life.”
PRAY
Heavenly Father, grant me the desire for your mercy. May I return inwardly and outwardly to you. May I never forget that I am always in need of forgiveness. Amen.
LIVE
Take a walk today. Imagine what it must have been like to be the younger son returning home, who was greeted by the father who ran to meet him.