When the Jews returned from exile in Babylon, they were surrounded by hostile nations making restoration of their homeland difficult. The prophet Micah in the first reading calls upon God and pleads with Him to act as Shepherd to His people, longing for divine intervention, and to guide them with the same miraculous wonders displayed during the Exodus.

These attributes of a merciful and compassionate God who welcomes back sinners who repent and return to Him is shown in the parable of the Prodigal Son. It serves as Jesus's direct response to the Pharisees' criticism that Jesus was associated with sinners. The father in the story gives an extravagant unconditional welcome to his wayward son. The lavish feast, new robe, and ring symbolise the full and joyous restoration of his genuinely repentant younger son that reflects the unconditional love of the father for his children.

The heart of the father is moved and finds delight when a lost soul returns. As for the older brother's resentment and self-righteousness, the father did not abandon him too, but extended his invitation to him as well. The parable is left open-ended for the older brother, inviting the listeners to choose repentance, and seek reconciliation and mercy of the father and be confident in his unconditional love. The parable is a call for us to forgive those who wrong us due to human fragility, and we also embrace and celebrate with joy our brothers and sisters' homecoming.