mother

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son we hear: ‘The older son became angry and when he refused to enter the house, the father came out to plead with him.’

There are three characters mentioned in this parable – the father and the two sons.  A lot has been made of and written about each of them. 

But I cannot help but think about another character who isn’t mentioned –

the mother.  Ever wonder about the mother in this family?

I imagine her waiting inside, perhaps standing at the window, longing for the return of her youngest, wayward boy.  When she finally spies him off in the distance, she encourages her husband to go out to meet him.  Then she hopes for reconciliation of these sons she loves so much, as she busies herself setting up for a huge party she hopes will happen.

I think God is like that mother who is pained at the way her children treat each other, wanting only to feed them, and hold them, and welcome them back into her house.

That’s what this holy season of Lent is all about, being reconciled – with God and with one another.  We pray the Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation at Mass, asking the Lord to heal us of whatever divides us, and to fill us with the vision of being united with all those in the world around us as brothers and sisters who are on the same journey.

May all our Lenten prayers and practices strengthen us to work tirelessly to put aside whatever differences we have with others, and in working together, help to build the Father’s Kingdom of true and lasting peace.