My whole life has been affected by the love of God that is depicted in this story. May you also know the Father
and his love for prodigal sons.
Jesus continued: There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, `Father, give me my share of
the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered
his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and
he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields
to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, `How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving
to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against
you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his
father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran
to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.'
But the father said to his servants, `Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and
sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine
was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.