The parable Jesus tells in today's Gospel is unique to the Gospel of Luke. Jesus has been teaching the crowds as he journeys to Jerusalem. As he teaches, the Pharisees and scribes complain and challenge Jesus because he is welcoming sinners at his table. Today we hear the third of three parables that Jesus tells in response to his critics. These three familiar parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and today's parable of the prodigal son—invite us to consider the depth of God's mercy and love. Dearly beloved, God is inviting us to return to friendship with Him. Through establishing a relationship with God and upon realizing our foolish ways like the prodigal son, may our sins be forgiven. May we disembark from where sin has taken us to and return home to eternal Joy.