Jesus narrates the parable of the prodigal son because the scribes and the Pharisees had complained about his kind treatment of known sinners. By His parable He wanted to show that He was doing His Father's will in seeking out sinners to save them. The scribes and the Pharisees, had they been really good men, would have been glad to see sinners being led to repentance. In the parable they are represented by the older son who, by his own estimate anyway, had remained loyal to his father. This older son, however, was guilty of envy, and his father had to point out to him that he too should have rejoiced over the return of his brother. The younger brother had indeed been foolish in his sin, but the older brother was equally foolish in his self-righteousness and envy.

Where do we fit into the parable? Probably we do not completely match either son, but are a little bit like both of them. We certainly should realize that we are not perfect, that we are guilty of some sins, usually little ones but maybe serious ones at some time. During Lent we are expected in a special way to be honest about our sins. Whatever our sins may be, we know from this parable that God is a loving Father who welcomes back the repentant sinner with open arms.