The story of the Prodigal Son contains many lessons, one of which is that we all lose our way sometimes. Recall a time in your life when you were lost—or perhaps that time is now.

A scene in the movie Schindler’s List haunts the viewer. Businessman-turned-brother’s keeper Oskar Schindler is trying to cultivate the confidence of a powerful but sadistic prison camp official. Schindler needs this officer in order to ensure the safety of his Jewish workers. But it’s hard to keep company with a man willing to gun down a human being simply for crossing his line of vision.

People are usually surprised when I tell them that I love political canvassing. They ask, don’t you get doors slammed in your face? It hasn’t happened even once.

“Jesus is wrong!” The Bible study group reading the parable of the Prodigal Son was stunned into silence. The leader had been pointing out that the word prodigal (“excessive”) was better applied to the father’s generosity than to the son’s waste of his inheritance when the woman spoke out.

Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our fears and resentments, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Mercy is the stuff you give to people that don’t deserve it.