The Story of the Merciful Father

by Deacon José  |  03/30/2025  |  From the Clergy

“A man had two sons…” once we hear those words from the Gospel, almost everyone would recognize that this is the story of the “prodigal son”. I personally would call it the story of the “merciful father”, as I see that he never lost hope that his son would return one day.

The story has three main characters, the son, the father and the brother.

The Son. After being very disrespectful with his father and everyone else in the household, he demands to receive now what he would have inherited later. Then he spends it all and is completely broken. This is his turning point. He remembers how well he was at his father’s house and decides to go back.  If your parents are still alive, make sure you “go back” to them and let them know that you love them, that you are thankful for what they did with you, and if necessary, ask them to forgive you for what you may have done to them. Is some cases, you may have to let them know that you forgive them for their mistakes.

The Father. What an incredible demonstration of love and mercy. Would we do the same when one of our children “returns” to us after being separated due to a strife. Would we welcome that son or daughter that “was death but has come to life again”. Would we rejoice having them with us again? Would we be capable of completely forgiving him or her without any reproaches? Let’s remember that the same way I act with a child that returns home, is the same way we would want God to welcome us into His kingdom.

The Brother. Would we be as jealous as the brother of the story was or would we rejoice for our sibling that has returned? Are we able to forgive the same way we would like God to forgive our sins?

Deacon José