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...