The father’s words are not a justification for transgression, but resonate as the necessary acceptance of the reality, unique and not multipliable, of each of his children so that each one can open himself to new things without being a prisoner of old things. However, we must not forget that old things can become even the best and holiest if they are not continually renewed and reinvigorated in the youth of a love continually regained and rediscovered. So we come to discover that the youngest of the family is precisely the father who easily ran to meet him, threw himself around his neck and kissed him. As one of the most relevant authors of our time recalls in a now classic writing: “When I look at my being lost with the eyes of God and discover the joy of God because of my return home, then my life can become less anguished and more confident”. If the path of liberation is fulfilled, the process of freedom remains to be carried out day after day. The ministry of reconciliation has always been in the making in the history of Israel and at the heart of the mysterious, sometimes intricate journey of humanity on the unique and particular journey lived by every person. The formula used by God towards the people, newborn to freedom and reborn to the Covenant, has the flavor of a solemn absolution: Today I have removed from you the infamy of Egypt. The very silent lips of the Father when he sees the youngest son leave open to the kiss when he decides to return to nourish the mother’s womb with his fatherly mercy, transforming into an invitation to the feast. But there is also the older brother! Attention, is it us?

Commentary by b. Michael David, osb Community of the Koinonia de la Visitation

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey