STM's staff will share an image and reflect on it each Saturday. Today, Joe writes about the Parable of the Prodigal Son and the father's joyful, unconditional love. 

Ah, the prodigal son. Certainly one of the most well known parables, and like so many others, a challenge to understand and accept. Throughout my life I have found this story at times infuriating, at times reassuring, and ultimately comforting. I’ve had discussions with others about having “younger son energy” or “older son energy,” and I think that depending upon how I was conducting myself at the time, it was possible to relate to and alternate between both perspectives.

For years, I focused only on the brothers. Which was I most like, I asked myself; the impulsive younger brother, filled with regret, fear and uncertainty? Or the steadfast older brother, consumed by righteous indignation? It wasn’t until someone pointed out that neither brother believed the father loved him that I was finally able to shift my attention where it belongs: on the father. I can imagine him, running across the field to greet his wayward son, filled with joy, lavishly expressing his love with words and hugs and a sumptuous feast. Eventually, I came to realize this parable isn’t about dissolute or righteous behavior, it’s about unconditional love. It doesn’t force us to choose sides, or to declare how we intend to behave, but to understand the nature of our heavenly Father. It is about compassion, mercy and forgiveness. Ultimately, it is about joyful love.

This photo is my hand in my father’s. We were sitting quietly together on his bed, for what would be the last time. Hours later he died, but not before reassuring me yet again of his love for me…and my brother, by the way. I am eternally grateful for having a living example of profound love in my life, a father who was kind and merciful, loving and expressive. I believe it is through the actions and example of others that we can get glimpses of God’s love for us. It is through the things of this world that we can imagine the next. As the Gospel concludes, now we must celebrate and rejoice.