Father Jim begins by reminding us that the Parable of the Prodigal Son is not just about the younger, rebellious son who returns seeking forgiveness, but also about the older son who remains dutiful yet becomes resentful and jealous. Jesus tells this story to a mixed audience—those who saw themselves as righteous and those who felt like sinners—so that each person could see themselves in one of the two sons. Father Jim encourages listeners to reflect on which son they relate to, recognizing that throughout life, we may shift between both roles.
The central figure in the parable, however, is the father, who represents God. The father gives his younger son the freedom to leave and later welcomes him back with open arms, showing unexpected mercy and forgiveness. Even more strikingly, the father also reaches out to the older son, who sulks outside the celebration. Rather than ignoring him, the father gently seeks him out, showing that God also pursues those with hardened hearts. God’s mercy is not reserved only for the wayward but is extended to all, even those who struggle to see their need for it.
Father Jim connects this parable to the broader message of Jesus and the heart of Pope Francis’s teaching: God is a God of mercy. God knocks gently at our hearts, always inviting us back with tenderness and compassion. This mercy is meant to transform us, to change our hearts and soften our defenses. Whether we feel far from God or are simply going through the motions, God's love reaches out to meet us where we are.
Finally, Father Jim shares how he personally encounters this mercy through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. He describes it as his favorite sacrament—not because it is dramatic, but because of its quiet, powerful ability to heal. He sees it as a sacred space where people return to God, often after many years, and experience genuine transformation. Through confession, he witnesses the beauty of people opening their hearts to God's forgiveness and being restored. This, he says, is the true gift of mercy—God giving us what we don’t deserve, simply because He loves us.
Journal and Reflect on the following
Which character in the parable do you relate to most right now— the younger son, the older son, or the father? Why?
Have you ever experienced God's mercy in a personal way? What did it look or feel like?
Why do you think it can be hard to receive forgiveness or to forgive others—even when we know it’s the right thing to do?
What are some ways we might act like the older brother—feeling jealous, resentful, or self-righteous? How can we open our hearts to mercy instead?
The father in the story goes out to both sons. How does this show us something important about God’s nature?
How can you be an instrument of God’s mercy to someone in your life this week?
What role does reconciliation (whether through prayer, conversation, or the Sacrament) play in helping us experience healing and peace?
Discuss
Song - Run to the Father
Final Prayer
Loving and merciful God, we thank You for being the Father who runs to embrace us, whether we come from a place of failure, pride, fear, or regret. You do not wait for perfection, but open Your heart to us just as we are, offering healing, forgiveness, and a way home. Help us to receive Your mercy with humility, to extend it to others with compassion, and to become living signs of Your love in a world longing for grace. May we never forget that in every moment, You are reaching out to welcome us back. Amen.
