From our Gospel reading, the parable of the Prodigal Son, from St Luke: ‘“I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.  And the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son”. But the father said to his servants, “Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet;  and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.”’

This famous image, by Rembrandt van Rijn, is in the public domain, and shows the moment when the son is lovingly welcomed by his father.

Gregory of Nyssa commented: ‘But he returned not to his former happiness before that coming to himself he had experienced the presence of overpowering bitterness, and resolved the words of repentance, which are added, “I will arise”. Now this prodigal son, the Holy Spirit has engraved upon our hearts, that we may be instructed how we ought to deplore the sins of our soul. His meditating confession so won his father to him, that he went out to meet him, and kissed his neck; for it follows, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him’.

We know the inwardness of this story for ourselves, for we have all sinned. May we have the grace to return simply and with gratitude to our heavenly Father, who is always quick to forgive. May He bless you abundantly this day.