Homily on the Parable of the Prodigal Son
2026 Sunday of the Prodigal Son As the Great Fast, or Lent, approaches, the Church guides us in preparing for our encounter with the Living God at Pascha (Easter). Through the Scriptures and her Liturgy, the Church reveals what genuine desire, sincere repentance, and merciful love look like when put into practice. On this Sunday in the Eastern Church, we hear the well-known Gospel passage of the Prodigal Son—a story unique to the Gospel of Luke and carefully included in his “orderly account” (Luke 1:3) of the Good News of Jesus Christ. In this parable, the boundless compassion and love of a father for his repentant son are made clear. The narrative reminds us that no matter how far we may stray from God, He is always ready to welcome us back with open arms and great rejoicing. As we reflect on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, it becomes clear that Jesus is presenting a rich, five-act drama. This narrative is filled with compelling characters and significant events, ...