We have to be good in the Lord's way, not in the human way. The son who stayed at home surprised his father by his lack of love for his misfit brother. When he came to his senses, he saw how much he had lost by leaving. When he repented, he turned his life around: he went to his father, asked for forgiveness and said that he should be treated like one of his servants. The father prepared a feast and everyone rejoiced at the return of the dead man. Jesus is beautiful!

           In this parable, we see how much the Master values helping those lost in sin, because they were weak and fell to temptation. Have we learned the lesson, or do we only look at the damage someone does to us? Now, the reward we will obtain by receiving the one who had lost his way, forgiving him from the heart and giving him the chance to redeem himself is an act of one who has Christ in his heart. That is why we have come to the Kingdom of God!

           The youngest son did make a mistake, but who doesn't make mistakes in this life? There is only one righteous person, the Lord, who taught us this beautiful lesson. The devil uses the weak in faith not to forgive people who seek the support of the family they have despised, and this is not good. Without love, they will return to the world lost and will no longer seek the home they left. The Bible says: For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16.26). Do we really believe in God? Meditate!

           The eldest son, who stayed at home, was angry with his father, saying that he had served him for so many years and never had anything to be happy about with his friends. At this point, the father realized how wasteful this son was too, because he didn't understand that all the goods in the house were his (Luke 15.31). “Why does a family get rich?” is the question that many fail to ask. Many rich people give less to missions than the poor!

           The prodigal son was repentant, and that was the reason for being accepted again. After all, he had proved that, far from home, there is no peace, protection or consideration. Now, by joining forces with him, the family could achieve more than they had before his bad decision. Sometimes we don't see that the mistakes of others are a little bit our fault. The father, seeing that his son recognized his mistake, was moved with compassion and decided to throw him a big party.

           The older man didn't understand that he hadn't had the goat he wanted because he hadn't asked for it. This happens to church members who go against their heavenly Father's decisions regarding those who have been led astray by the enemy. Now, following the Gospel means doing the same things as Jesus did. We can never become worse than the lost. Compassion speaks loudly before God and requires spending money for a proper celebration!

           The true prodigal stayed at home because all he cared about were his riches and not his family, so he spoke harshly to his father. Beware of the root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15). Love the repentant!

           In Christ, with love,

           R. R. Soares