“I have been meditating on the story of the prodigal son. It is a story about returning. I realize the importance of returning over and over again. My life drifts away from God. I have to return. My heart moves away from my first love. I have to return. My mind wanders to strange images. I have to return. Returning is a lifelong struggle. . .  I am moved by the fact that the father did not require any higher motivation. His love was so total and unconditional that he simply welcomed his son home.” (Henri Nouwen)

The Father is always ready to welcome us. This is a given. The variable is our decision to return to him, regardless of our perceived consequences. Even though our past experiences tell us that the Father is waiting with open arms, our block is the fear this time will be different. The issue is not from the Father’s point of view, but ours. We are always his adopted son or daughter in his eyes. But how do we see the Father? That’s the crux of the question. When we see him as a harsh judge, we will stay away. When we see him as he is, a loving and merciful Father, then we can return. The prophet speaks the word of God. “Return to me and I will return to you.” “For I am slow to anger and rich in mercy.”