My Father sees me and has compassion of me, and runs and embraces me and kisses me!
I have been reflecting on the story of the Prodigal Son because it is a story that has a significant impact on so many different parts of our life.
In 1957, a young Frenchman named Jacques Fesch was put to death by the guillotine. And I have been reflecting on this young man’s life and on his death…
When he was young, Jacques Fesch decided to forego the position that he had in his father’s bank. He left behind him all responsibilities – including the responsibilities he had to his wife and his daughter. Much like the prodigal son in the parable, Fesch lived the life of a playboy, with pretty girlfriends and fast cars and parties and fun. Eventually, through his disillusionment, Fesch decided to rob a money changer. As he was escaping the scene of the crime, he accidentally killed a police officer. After that, he was arrested and condemned to death by guillotine. Initially Fesch mocked his lawyer for his Catholic faith, but gradually – over the course of a year – Fesch converted and through a profound love for God, Fesch repented of his crime and asked for forgiveness. During his life in prison, Fesch began to pray, attended Holy Mass and began to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation regularly.
While he was incarcerated and before his execution in 1957, Fesch kept a journal in which he recorded his spiritual thoughts and prayers. Jacques Fesch’s final entry into that journal read… “In five hours, I will see Jesus!”
After his death, Fesch’s journal was published, and became a source of inspiration for many people. The process for his beatification is now open as Fesch was an example of repentance and redemption, proving to us that it is never too late to repent and find God.
And the story of the Prodigal Son reminds me of that today…
“There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.’ … I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants.’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him...” (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32).
And I have been reflecting on that today – because my Father sees me and has compassion of me, and runs and embraces me and kisses me!
And I cannot help feeling wonderfully lucky about that right now…
For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.
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