"For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

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 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’  So he got up and went to his father.   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. ”   [Luke 15:17-20]

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"For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

The God the Father is here depicted as a certain man who had two sons. The younger son typifies the repentant sinner, whereas the older son illustrates the scribes and the Pharisees. The younger son is also known as the prodigal son. 

A prodigal is one who is recklessly extravagant, who spends money wastefully. This son became weary of his father’s house and decided he wanted to leave. He could not wait for his father to die, and so asked for his portion of the inheritance ahead of time. The father distributed to his sons their proper share. 

Shortly afterward, the younger son set out to a far country and spends his money freely in sinful pleasures. As soon as his funds were gone a severe depression gripped the land, and he found himself destitute. The only employment he could get was as a feeder of swine—a job that would have been most distasteful to the average Jew. As he watched the pigs eating their bean pods, he envied them. They had more to eat than he had, and no one seemed disposed to help him. The friends he had when he was spending money freely had all disappeared.

The famine proved to be a blessing in disguise. It made him think.  He remembered that his father’s hired servants were living far more comfortably than he. They had plenty of food to eat, while he was wasting away with hunger.  He determined to go to his father in repentance, acknowledging his sin, and seeking pardon.
Long before he reached his home, his father saw him and had compassion. He ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
The son made his confession, but the father interrupted by ordering the servants to put the best robe on his son, put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.  He also ordered a great feast to celebrate the return on his son who had been lost and was now found. As far as the father was concerned, he had been dead but now was alive again.
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” [Luke 15:7].
   
 

 

Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you

   

"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you"

 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. ” [Luke 15:21-24]