«All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out» (John 6:37).
IT IS DIFFICULT TO READ THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON and not wonder what was ultimately the main reason that led this young man to return home. Love for his father? A guilty conscience? To make amends for the damage caused? Or simply because he needed to survive? At the risk of being unfair, it seems that he decided to return because he had to survive.
However, the motive could have been something else. For example, could it be that the boy could never erase from his mind the intense pain that was etched on his father’s face as he left home? Or, could it also be that more and more, the conviction was increasingly growing in him that his father was waiting for him? It could be. Because who would want to go back to a place where in advance you know you won’t be received?
At this point we might well ask another question: Why would a death row inmate seek forgiveness from the God whom he has openly offended with his life of sin? Is it because, deep in his heart, he knows that the Father has been waiting for him? Take, for example, the case that Dixil Rodriguez recounts. Dixil is a volunteer hospital chaplain in Texas. One day she received an invitation to meet with a man on death row. However, this person wasn’t a stranger. Ten years earlier, this man had been one of her students; one of the most promising ones. But now he was awaiting his final hour. And before that time came, he wanted to speak with his teacher.
«You believed in me,» he told her. «I knew the kind of person I wanted to become, but I made bad decisions.»
They spoke for a short while. Toward the end of the visit, the man managed to say, «I don’t want you to pray with me, but I do want you to pray for me.
«Pray for me,» says the death row inmate. Why does he make this request knowing that because of his crimes, he must die? The answer is in the question at the beginning: Why did the prodigal son return to his father’s home despite knowing that he had caused so much pain? He went back because he knew someone was waiting for him.
If right now you feel that your sins have separated you from God; if you think your mistakes make you unworthy of forgiveness, today you can set out on your way home. With open arms, Someone will be waiting for you. How much longer will you keep Him waiting?
Thank You, dear Father, because You don’t get tired of waiting for me.
Today I’m on my way back to You. Thank You for the promise that if someone comes to You, You won’t cast them out.
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Taken from: Devotional Readings for Adults 2022
“GREAT IS OUR GOD!”
From: FERNANDO ZABALA
Collaborators: Xiomara Perdomo & Angelica Cuate
