The Son Who Came Home

Jesus told a story about a father who had two sons. One day the younger son said, "Father, give me my share of everything now." So the father divided what he had between his sons. Then the younger son packed up everything and went to a far country.

There he wasted all his money on wild living. Then a great hunger came over that land, and he had nothing left. He found work feeding pigs. He was so hungry he wished he could eat the pigs' food. But no one gave him anything.

At last he came to himself. He thought, "My father's workers have plenty of bread, and here I am starving! I will get up and go to my father. I will say, Father, I have sinned. I am not worthy to be called your son. Let me work for you instead."

So he got up and went home. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him. The father's heart was full of love. He ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him.

The son began, "Father, I have sinned. I am not worthy to be called your son." But the father called his servants. "Bring the best robe! Put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet! Make a feast, and let us be merry. My son was lost, and now he is found!"

The older brother was angry and would not come in. The father went out to him and said, "Son, you are always with me, and all I have is yours. But we had to be glad. Your brother was lost, and is found."