Meditation today: consolation for the repentant sinner

Consolation for the repentant sinner: This was the reaction of the faithful son in the parable of the prodigal son. We remember that after having squandered his inheritance, the prodigal son returns home humiliated and poor, asking his father if he will take him back and treat him as if he were a mercenary.

But the father surprises him and throws a big party for his son to celebrate his return. But his father's other son, the one who has remained with him over the years, did not join the celebrations. “Look, all these years I have served you and not once have I disobeyed your orders; yet you never even gave me a young goat to feast on my friends. But when your son returns who has swallowed up your property with prostitutes, you slaughter the fattened calf for him ”. Luke 15: 22–24

Was it right that the father had killed the fatted calf and organized this great party to celebrate the return of his wayward son? Was it fair that that same father apparently never gave his faithful son a young goat to feast on his friends? The right answer is that this is the wrong question.

It is easy for us to live in such a way that we always want things to be "right". And when we perceive that another receives more than us, we can become angry and embittered. But asking whether this is right or not is not the right question. When it comes to God's mercy, God's generosity and goodness far outweigh what is perceived as right. And if we want to share God's abundant mercy, we too must learn to rejoice in his overabundant mercy.

In this story, the act of mercy given to the wayward son was exactly what that son needed. He needed to know that no matter what he had done in the past, his father loved him and was delighted with his return. Therefore, this son needed an abundance of mercy, in part to reassure him of his father's love. He needed this extra consolation to convince himself that he had made the right choice by returning.

The other son, the one who had remained faithful over the years, was not treated unfairly. Rather, his discontent stemmed from the fact that he himself lacked the same abundant mercy present in his father's heart. He failed to love his brother to the same extent and, therefore, did not see the need to offer this consolation to his brother as a way to help him understand that he had been forgiven and welcomed again. There mercy it is very demanding and far exceeds what at first glance we can perceive as rational and just. But if we wish to receive mercy in abundance, we must be ready and willing to offer it to those who need it most.

Consolation for the repentant sinner: Reflect today on how merciful you are

Reflect today on how merciful and generous you are to be, especially to those who do not seem to deserve it. Remind yourself that the life of grace is not being righteous; it's about being generous to a shocking extent. Engage in this depth of generosity towards all and look for ways to console another's heart with God's mercy. If you do, that generous love will also bless your heart in abundance.

My most generous Lord, you are compassionate beyond what I can imagine. Your mercy and goodness far exceed what each of us deserves. Help me to be eternally grateful for Your goodness and help me offer the same depth of mercy to those who need it most. Jesus I believe in you.