"The Loving Father" - Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent, Year C) 30th March, 2025

The Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday, is a time for rejoicing. In Luke 15, Jesus shares three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. However, the parable of the prodigal son is not primarily about the son, but about the loving father. The Gospel tells us about the extent of the father's love and mercy. We examine the characters in the parable, starting with the son who asks for his inheritance, symbolizing his desire for freedom and independence. This desire for freedom can lead us away from God and into sin. The father grants his son the freedom to make his own choices, just as God gives us the freedom to serve Him. However, this freedom comes with responsibility. The younger son's desire for freedom leads him down a path of destruction, but he eventually realizes his mistakes and returns to his father. The elder son, on the other hand, is worse than the younger son. He is wicked, self-righteous, and lacks empathy. The servant in the parable represents those who spread unnecessary information and gossip. The father embodies love, mercy, and forgiveness. He runs to his son and embraces him, despite his mistakes. This demonstrates the vastness of God's love. The father restores his son to his former state, giving him a robe, sandals, and a ring. When we return to God, He restores us to our original place. The father celebrates his son's return with a grand banquet, demonstrating that mercy triumphs over judgment and love triumphs over condemnation. In our own homes, we should create an environment where our children feel safe to return to us, despite their mistakes. Love is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of strength. The three parables in Luke 15 remind us that God's love is stronger than our mistakes and foolishness. His love is always available to us, and all we need to do is return to Him. Finally, we give tribute to our mothers for their unwavering love and dedication. Their love is #irreplaceable and they play a vital role in the home