This weekend we hear the story of the Prodigal Son, which may be Jesus' most profound parable. The word prodigal means excessively wasteful. It's easy to read this parable only through the lens of the wasteful extravagance of the younger son. Going deeper, we may see that the older son was also prodigal, in the sense that he wasted so much time at home without ever really drawing close to his father in his heart. What I believe Jesus draws out at the deepest level is the prodigality of the father who lavishly immerses both of his sons in the richness of his mercy.

Indeed, this parable is really about our Prodigal Father. He created us in His love
and continues to lift us up with His mercy so that however far away we may be from Him, we can be assured that His mercy can find us. Like the younger son, those of us who seem far from God may not really be that far away at all, and like the older son, those of us who appear close to God may actually be keeping some spiritual distance. The Father's love is infinite, constantly inviting His sons to share with Him their lives and hearts. The words of the younger son, "Coming back to his senses..." resonate with all who have been lost and who have been found by Christ. Being found by God is the light bulb moment in our lives: "You mean I'm meant for more than this? You still love me and even desire me even after I've done all this?" Only after we've returned and come home do we realize, "OF COURSE I'm meant for more! OF COURSE You still love me! I'm Your beloved child, how could You not want to be close to me!"

As beloved sons and daughters of our Prodigal Father, we must constantly fix our gaze on the Father's love for us. Being a beloved son or daughter is our fundamental identity. When we forget our identity, we lose sight of how reckless God's love is for His children! When I struggle with my own identity and belonging to God, I pray and think of the Father saying to me, "Remember who you are!" This firm but gentle reminder can lift us up when we wrestle with being close to our Father.

Many in our midst struggle with questions of identity. Indeed, most of our cultural issues stem from questions of identity. In response to our questions, God tirelessly proclaims through His Church: "Remember who you are! You are my beloved sons and daughters!" Sharing this message of the Gospel is the great task of the new evangelization entrusted to us today. Chains are broken, wounds are healed, and relationships are restored when we finally surrender to our foundational identity as children of the Father redeemed by Christ the Beloved Son. We cannot become who we are called to be by being away from the Father, by refusing that foundational relationship and by forging our own paths and identities apart from God. We must return home where we receive the Word of life and the Sacraments of redemption.