But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. (Luke 15:22-24 NABRE)
As difficult as it is to admit to ourselves and to God that we have acted badly toward him and others--that we have sinned, just look at the joy which the father takes in our return! It is nearly beyond human understanding! I am convicted to think of my own lack of forgiving joy at times in the past. Imagine it! There is NO sin that is bigger than God's desire to forgive us if we will just turn back to him. Not one!
And this is important: We all need to continually turn back to God, each day. None of us can say we no longer need to do this. And so, each morning, each afternoon, each evening, let us look inside and see if we are keeping our focus where it ought to be, on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and gracious.*
Today, I will bring my own sinfulness to the Lord, confident of his mercy and grateful for his joy at my return.
Saints Perpetua and Felicity, 2nd-century martyrs who were beheaded for refusing to renounce their Christian faith, pray for us.
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