Well I sure am glad that I received the role of the Father and the Shepherd in those skits, but those roles are often the most confusing. In that gospel . . . the shepherd, the Father and even the woman are meant to represent God.
We can all probably identify with all the other characters in the stories . . . for example, feeling lost like the lost sheep or coin; feeling like we have really screwed up like the younger son; or feeling resentful, even jealous, like the older son. We have all been there. Just as Jesus knew the people listening to his stories have all been there.
But what is interesting, is what St John Paul II (i.e. Pope John Paul II) wrote about the last parable. He wrote that neither son knew the Father. That is, understood God. John Paul II said that the younger son (who did all these bad things) thought that he needed to grovel before the Father and that there was NO WAY the Father was going to take him back. He never even considers it! He simply wants to get some meager food.
Or the older son (writes John Paul II) thinks that he needed to do everything right to gain God’s approval.
I think that St. John Paul II is “right on” with his insights, but I would add that those apply to us. For any of you . . . if you think that because of what you did, or who you are . . . that there is no way that God will accept you, take you back . . . you are wrong.
Or mistakenly to think that somehow, we need to do everything RIGHT, or be PERFECT to maintain God’s love. You are also wrong. The very nature of God, as I John says in chapter 4. That’s all that God wants to do with us, for us, in us . . . to love us.
Or as St. Paul wrote in the second reading that even he (who said bad things about God, tried to get followers of Jesus killed and was also arrogant) has felt redeemed not by his merits, but because of the presence of Christ Jesus. It is the same with you and with me.
There is always hope. Don’t let any fear or doubt or shame or action keep you from the goodness and grace of the loving God, who, as in the last story is waiting patiently night and day for you to return . . . and will welcome you with hugs and kisses.
For we are saved and blest NOT because we are good, but because God is good.