9/15/19: 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time: The Prodigal Son and the Foolish Mercy of God

Today's magnificent parable of the Prodigal Son is introduced by two shorter parables. Between the three there is a shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one, a woman who turns her house upside-down to find a nickel, and a father who receives his son back after he's squandered half his property. To us, the shepherd, the woman, and the father all seem to act foolishly. But this is precisely the point. God sees each of his lost children as precious and unique, and he will go to any length--including play the fool--in order that they may be found.