Our Merciful God

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent

At the end of Lent when we celebrate the Easter Vigil, we will be asked once again to renew our commitment to our baptismal promises. The passage from St. Luke’s Gospel that we read today as we celebrate Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, is the familiar parable which is widely known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Consequently, let us look at the parable from the perspective of what will be asked of us at the Easter Vigil.

St. John Chrysostom was a theologian who lived through the latter part of the fourth century and the early part of the fifth. He writes: “The son who went away represents those who fall after baptism. This is clear from the fact that he is called a son, since no one is called a son unless he is baptized. Also, he lived in his father’s house and took a share of all his father’s goods. Before baptism no one receives the Father’s goods or enters upon the inheritance. We can therefore take all this as signifying the state of believers. Furthermore, the wastrel was the brother of the good man, and no one is a brother unless he has been born again through the Spirit.

What does he say after falling into the depths of evil? “I will return to my father.” The reason the father let him go and did not prevent his departure for a foreign land was so that he might learn well by experience what good things are enjoyed by the one who stays at home. For when words would not convince us, God often leaves us to learn from the things that happen to us.

When the profligate returned after going to a foreign country and finding out by experience what a great sin it is to leave the father’s house, the father did not remember past injuries but welcomed him with open arms. Why? Because he was a father and not a judge. And there were dances and festivities and banquets and the whole house was full of joy and gladness.

Are you asking: ‘Is this what he gets for his wickedness?’ Not for his wickedness, but for his return home; not for sin, but for repentance; not for evil, but for being converted. What is more, when the elder son was angry at this the father gently won him over, saying: ‘You were always with me, but he was lost and has been found; he was dead and has come back to life. When someone who was lost has to be saved,’ says the father, ‘it is not the time for passing judgment or making minute inquiries, but only for mercy and forgiveness.’”

There are further references in the parable that lead us to the subject of the baptismal promises. Before the boy has a chance to complete his confession, the father says: “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.”

First, we consider the finest robe. Since ancient times, whenever someone is baptized, they are given a white robe. In the earliest days of the Church, the newly baptized war this white robe for the entire octave of Easter. By giving his son this fine robe, he indicates that though he had soiled his robe by sin, the father’s forgiveness restores what was lost by sin.

Next, we would consider the ring that is placed on the boy’s finger. This ring symbolizes the close relationship between the child and his father. This relationship that comes about through baptism has always been compared to a covenant. Rings, especially signet rings, are frequently used to recognize the child as a member of the family. I find it interesting that in the Sam Zimbalist production of Ben Hur, when the general areas publicly adopts Judah as his son, he places a ring on his finger.

Then we consider the sandals that are placed on the boy’s feet. According to the Early Church Fathers, these sandals represent the fact that the child is once again charged with spreading the Gospel.

Finally, the Church Fathers see in the banquet that the father celebrates with the fattened calf a reference to the Eucharist. It is at this banquet, at this table, that we are acknowledged as sons and daughters of God and brothers and sisters of the Lord Jesus.

Ultimately, the parable is about repentance, about conversion of life. Repentance is one of those things that is constantly necessary in the life of any Christian. Because we are human beings with free will, we will often find ourselves, like the young boy in today’s parable, in need of confessing our guilt. We often stray from the Baptismal Promises we have renewed every Easter. However, as St. John Chrysostom points out we have no need to be fearful, because it is God who is prodigal, constantly dispensing his mercy whenever we approach God with sorrow for our sins. God is not a judge but rather a forgiving father who is simply waiting for us to return home.