Unconditional forgiveness and mercy inspire corrective actions on the part of the penitent more effectively than punishment based on justice.

His repentance is genuine and complete as he turned away from his evil ways, turning from darkness to light. It must have taken him tremendous courage and determination to renounce his dissipated lifestyle and fight against all sorts of temptations and addictions. Being guilt-ridden, he must dread to face his own sinful past and to face his father. So by making a long trip back home, it spoke volume about his strong will to stay awake and remain sober, while taking up courage to be responsible for his past mistakes. He had also overcome his inaction by getting out of his comfort zone in order to steer clear from his sinful past.

He used to not believe that his father would give him the best. Now, he entrusted himself to his father's will by submitting himself to be his father's servant, doing his father's work instead of focusing on his own.

There, we can see a significant change in his personality from being a person of ingratitude to be more content and grateful for what he would be provided.

Willing to humble himself, he had found his new purpose in life. He turned away from being pleasure driven and not willing to work, to learning to assume responsibility in earning his own livelihood. From a misguided perspective on his life purposes, he had learned how to lead an honest and simple life. From his realization of his father's goodness in treating his hired workers well, he began to see the beauty of his father.

Finally, he turned away from harbouring an untamed heart to nurturing a tamed and obedient heart.

He learned to surrender himself completely to the father's will, submitting himself to his discipline, rules and boundaries. He chose not to let his ego and ambition run wild as he did in the past in his own distant country.

REFLECTION

What can you learn from the penitent son? Can you appreciate his effort on his journey of repentance?

Can you relate to the father's heart in embracing his long lost son with open arms?

TODAY'S PRAYER

I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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