Today, we find ourselves drawn into one of the most profound and moving stories our Lord ever told: the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It is a tale that, though ancient, resonates with the deepest currents of our human experience. We begin by noting that Jesus was being criticized for eating with tax collectors and sinners. The Pharisees and scribes grumbled, and Jesus responded with the parable. This setting is important. It shows us that Jesus’s heart is always oriented toward the lost.

“Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” (Luke 15:1-2)  

Think about that. Who do we grumble about? Who do we exclude? Who do we judge? Jesus shows us, we must welcome all.

Then we hear the story, a story of two sons, and a father. It is a story of rebellion, repentance, and above all, boundless, unconditional love.

The younger son, restless and foolish, demands his inheritance, as if to say, “Father, I wish you were already gone.” He takes his share and squanders it in a distant land, sinking into the depths of despair. He finds himself in a pigsty, a place of utter degradation.

But then, a glimmer of hope: “When he came to himself.” (Luke 15:17)

This is the moment of grace, the moment of recognition. He realizes the folly of his ways, and he turns his heart towards home. He prepares his plea, a plea of unworthiness, yet a plea, nonetheless.

And what does he find? A father, who has been watching, waiting, longing. A father who, upon seeing his son in the distance, runs to him, embraces him, and kisses him. The father does not wait for the son’s rehearsed speech; he interrupts it with the overwhelming outpouring of his love.

The father clothes him, restores his dignity, and throws a feast, a celebration of homecoming. This is not a reward for good behavior; it is a testament to the father’s immeasurable grace.

Then we have the older son, who stands outside, resentful and bitter. He represents those of us who, in our self-righteousness, forget the depth of our own need for mercy. He complains about justice, but he misses the point of love.

The father goes out to him as well, pleading, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” (Luke 15:31-32)  

Folks, this parable is not just a story; it is a mirror. In which son do we see ourselves? Are we the prodigal, lost and found? Or are we the elder brother, consumed by resentment?

The Father in this story is God. God’s love is not something that is earned, it is freely given. Like the father in the story, God waits for us, longs for us, and runs to embrace us when we return.

As Dominicans, we are called to preach this message of mercy, this Gospel of grace. We are called to be instruments of reconciliation, to bring the lost back to the Father’s embrace. Let us, therefore, open our hearts to the boundless love of God, and let us extend that same love to all those who are lost and searching. Amen.