Today’s responsorial psalm is a perfect introduction to the foundational nature of Lent that is seen in the Prodigal Son’s story of return and forgiveness. God pardons our iniquities, heals our ills, redeems our lives from destruction, and crowns us with kindness and compassion. Fr. Richard Rohr, reflecting on this amazing story, says, “The parable of the Prodigal Son has the power to change us because it names human relationships so perfectly. We see ourselves in both sons. We try to live our life apart and autonomously, and yet that leads to eventual alienation and unhappiness. Slowly we gather our truth and our identity. But we are also capable of being the older son who prides himself on his orthodoxy but who is unable to celebrate and enjoy a free gift. So, we end with an amazing story of one son who does it all right and is wrong, and another son who does it all wrong and is right!” At the parable’s end, we never learn whether the older son comes to the banquet, but we do know that the Father continues hoping that his son will come and not live in resentment or superiority toward the brother who has done it all wrong. This story is an invitation to all of us who have perhaps been faithful Christians, ‘older sons,’ that can now find a pathway to compassion and forgiveness in this season of Lent.