“So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him.” (Luke 15:20)․

The Sunday of the Prodigal Son during Great Lent presents to us a beautiful parable that has remained alive and relevant throughout the centuries. The story of the two brothers is not merely a story of the past; it is a mirror of our own lives. The younger son demanded his share, left his father’s house, and squandered all that he had. He was searching for freedom, but he found emptiness. He was seeking pleasure, but he encountered hunger and loneliness. And when he reached the depth of his fall, he remembered his father’s house. He remembered not only the bread, but also his father’s sincere love. That memory became the beginning of his return.

Yet there is also the elder brother in the parable. He had never left the house, but his heart was far from his father. He lived with a sense of duty, but not with love. When the father joyfully welcomed the returning son, the elder son complained. His righteousness was strict, but it lacked mercy.

These two brothers live within us today. At times, like the younger son, we distance ourselves from God, following our own desires. At other times, like the elder brother, we “remain” with God outwardly, yet in our hearts we judge and harden ourselves toward others. One is lost in open sin; the other in hidden pride. But the Father remains the same—loving, waiting, and forgiving.

The Sunday of the Prodigal Son reminds us that the door to God’s house is never closed. Whether we have wandered into distant lands or stand at the threshold with a cold heart, the Father comes out to meet us with open arms. He does not ask, “Are you worthy?” He says, “You are my son.”

May this Sunday become the beginning of our inner return. May we have the courage to acknowledge both our weakness and our hardened hearts, and open ourselves to the Father’s love. For true joy begins where a person returns to the embrace of the loving Father, and where love triumphs over both sin and condemnation.

Deacon MIKAYEL MARGARYAN