MARCH72026

The parable of the Prodigal Son (actually the father is the prodigal one since he gives himself extravagently) is one of the most beloved of the stories of Jesus. Yet, only St. Luke tells it in his gospel. The gospels as we have them were written several generations after the events themselves — fifty or so years — so evangelists like Luke who weren’t eyewitnesses of what Jesus said and did were dependent on the community remembering and repeating the tradition. We can give thanks that Luke’s community had this parable in its repetoire! What was going on in their midst that they thought to bring to mind this tale? The Church had lived long enough by this point that people were coming to the faith and then abandoning it — perhaps in the face of persecution. How should the community deal with those who lapsed? The parable suggests that God deals with us mercifully and always welcomes us — even eagerly welcomes us back — the Church should do the same. You don’t forfeit your seat in the kingdom when you do a walk around.