How many times have we heard the parable of the prodigal son? Many times! We are so familiar with the story. There are two sons. The older son is good, he doesn’t ask what the younger son asks. The younger son asked for his inheritance.

     If we ask our parents of our inheritance, it is an insult for them because they are still alive. We are not given inheritance while our parents are still alive.

The work of mercy is best understood in the light of the Word of God – Luke 15:11-32

      But the father in the parable was not insulted when his younger son asked for it. The father divided his wealth and half of it he gave to his younger son.  But the younger son wasted all of them, until he no longer had neither money nor food to eat.

     There came a famine and he went to work in a swinery. Even the food of the pigs he was willing to eat but was not given to him. Then, he remembered his father.

     He thought of his father’s slaves, who were far better because they have something to eat and do not go hungry. He reflected on his life. He had conversion.

     Conversion usually comes to us when we know we have only a few days left on earth. “Sorry, but you only have six months to live.” “ Sorry, you are the first to be removed from office.” “Sorry, the thing that you expected is not for you.”

     When we reach a point when we have no one to turn to, a crossroad where we don’ t know where to go – that’s the time we appreciate the things that we have. Our family, our wealth, our talent, our beauty, our friends.

     Most often, it’s only when someone is already dead that we become remorseful of not having loved him. That’s why we cry profusely. We offer beautiful and expensive orchids that no longer touch one’s face. The ears can no longer hear the words of endearment.