Fourth Sunday of Lent

“The father saw him and had compassion”

To preclude us having to imagine it, Jesus, The Word of God, came to reveal to us the true character – the personalities- of God. Without this apodictic evidence, God would seem to be too good to be true.

That God is a genius in imagination and design, is clearly seen when we examine creation and creatures, in particular humans with our ears, eyes and brains.  These could never have evolved ‘just like that’. 

But what is that creator really like? There are many  magnificent human artists and scientists who - close up – are not very nice people.

Today’s parable of “The Prodigal Son” – should, I reckon, be called “The Parable of The Prodigal Father”.

After all, ‘prodigal’ can mean "giving  in great abundance," In today’s parable, the father gives love and compassion in mega abundance.

The moment we repent and turn towards our Father, God runs out towards us. . In today’s parable, the Father is wildly beyond the son’s imaginings – and hope. The father seems to say, “you see me as you are. I am as I am: infinite mercy and love. Human perceptions are one thing. Divine reality something else.

Thank God for the real God – and not the God of our imaginations. In  many Old Testament texts God is deemed an enthroned  King, a warrior, dispensing justice. Jesus revealed the divine reality which is wonderfully beyond anything like the God of The Original Testament.

Jesus is, indeed, Good News.