A moving homily on Luke 15:11–32 : A new way of looking at the story of the prodigal son and the urgency of repentance and love, illustrated by a simple story of two oxen working in the field. (3-8-25, Syro Malabar)
Praise be to Jesus Christ
In a village field, two oxen were tied to the same plough. One was old and steady, the other young and full of strength. The younger ox often pulled hard and fast, annoyed by the older one’s slow and quiet pace. “He’s too slow,” the young ox thought. “I can manage better on my own.” One morning, the older ox was gone. The farmer had taken him away. The younger ox now had the plough to himself.
At first, he felt proud and free. However, as the sun rose higher, the field felt endless, and the plough grew heavier. The ground was rough and without the old ox beside him, every step became a struggle. By evening, he stood tired and aching, the yoke beside him empty and for the first time, he whispered to himself, “I thought I was strong, but I never knew how much I needed him until he was no longer there.”
That is the voice of today’s Gospel. Jesus tells us about the younger son who took his father’s money and ran off. Only when he lost everything, money, friends, food, and dignity, he came to his senses; we can also say, he repented. But when did that happen? After everything was gone.
Many of us are like that. We realise the value of people only when we have already lost them. We speak sweet words at funerals but keep bitterness while they are alive. We cry after someone leaves our family or our religious community, but while they were near, we ignored them or kept distance.
This Gospel is not just about one son. It is about you and me. In our families, how many husbands realise the worth of their wives only after she falls sick or dies? And how many wives remember their husband’s goodness only after the house becomes silent without him?
In our communities, how many religious wait until a sister leaves to finally say, “We miss you” — words that were never spoken when she was quietly struggling among us?
Yes, the prodigal son was welcomed back. The father ran, embraced, and celebrated. But we must not forget, the son returned with wounds. He had lost time, peace, and dignity. His repentance came, but it came late.
We see the same in the Old Testament. King David wept bitterly only after his sin. Esau cried only after his blessing was gone. Cain understood his guilt only after his brother Abel lay dead. God forgives, but time does not return.
That is why Jesus calls us to wake up early. Come to your senses now; Love your family now, ask forgiveness now, speak gently now and share burdens now. Let us not wait until the yoke beside you is empty.
As St Teresa of Calcutta said, “If we wait for perfection before we love, we will wait forever. Love now.” It is because a day may come when your heart is full, but there is no one left to receive it.
Lord, give me the grace to come to my senses today and now.
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God Bless..
Never thought this way
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