How we can receive more from the Mass - 5 (Penitential Act/Gloria)

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, have you ever wondered at which point the father forgave the son who had offended him in every possible way?  Was it when he threw the extravagant party?  Or when he ran out to embrace his son?  Or when he first saw his son returning to the family home?

For me, it was long before that. 

We are told that the father saw his son while he was still a long way from home – he was scanning the horizon, yearning for the return of his beloved, if wayward, son.  Would he be doing that had he not already forgiven his son?  But it wasn’t until his son returned and fulfilled the other necessary conditions for reconciliation (contrition, confession and penance) that the joy of the reconciliation – symbolised by the lavish celebrations – could commence.  The son was burdened by the weight of guilt at his offence.  That burden was lifted by the reconciliation with his father, and the joy of the father's love could then be celebrated.  

The transition from the Penitential Act to the Gloria can appear abrupt.  But maybe the Parable of the Prodigal Son can shine a light on this link between the Penitential Act and the Gloria.

The burden of our sin weighs us down in so many ways.  Not least, is that we struggle to rejoice in the goodness of our Lord.  (Just think how, when we have hurt someone we love, it can be so difficult to even look them in the eye.)  In the Penitential Act we open ourselves to the mercy of the Eternal; “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.”  Then we are sufficiently unburdened to praise our merciful God in this ancient and glorious hymn of praise.