The Kindness That Welcomes: Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:2

Lent is a time of return. It is a season of rediscovering God’s kindness and mercy, not only for ourselves but also in how we treat others. No other parable presents this better than the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). Here, Jesus reveals the heart of the Father: a heart that is kind, merciful, and always ready to welcome us home.

The Pharisees and scribes were scandalized by Jesus’ kindness toward sinners. They grumbled, and in response, Jesus told three parables about lost things being found:

The Lost Sheep – A shepherd leaves 99 to find the one that is lost.
The Lost Coin – A woman searches tirelessly for a single lost coin.
The Lost Son – A father rejoices over the return of his wayward child.

Each of these parables shows the loving kindness of God, a mercy that searches for the lost, restores the broken, and rejoices in their return.

A Lesson in Kindness

The younger son demands his inheritance, squanders it in reckless living, and ends up starving in a foreign land. Yet, when he returns, hoping only for a servant’s place, he is met with kindness beyond expectation: The Father runs to him, which in was an undignified act in Jewish culture.

He embraces and kisses him before the son even confesses.
He restores his dignity with a robe, ring, and sandals.
He celebrates his return rather than punishing him.

In this story, the older brother is often overlooked. He stayed behind and helped his Father. Naturally he is resentful. He cannot accept the father’s kindness to someone so undeserving. But the father responds to him as well, with gentle kindness, inviting him to rejoice instead of judging.

Our Lenten challenge

Do we reflect the kindness of the Father, or do we stand outside the feast, unwilling to celebrate another’s redemption?God’s kindness is not calculated, conditional, or limited. It is always ready to restore, rather than reject.

Spiritual Reflection for Today

Do I struggle to be kind to those who I think don’t "deserve" it?
Do I truly accept God’s kindness when I have strayed?
Do I respond with joy when others receive mercy, or am I resentful like the older son?

Living Kindness in Action

This Lent, let’s try to imitate the kindness of the Father by welcoming those who have been distant from us with an open heart. Try to forgive freely, without keeping score or holding a grudge. Accept the kindness and forgiveness of others, even when your anger holds you back. Rejoice in another’s return to grace rather than judging their past. The Father’s kindness is the heart of this Gospel. Let us share kindness during Lent and beyond.

Prayer for Kindness and Forgiveness

Heavenly Father,

You are the source of all kindness, the spring of mercy, and the giver of boundless love. You welcome the lost, embrace the broken, and rejoice over those who return to you.

Teach me to be kind as you are kind. Teach me to see others through the lens of love in the way you created them.

Give me a heart that forgives. Help me to let go of resentment, to choose compassion over judgment, and to rejoice when others find their way back to you.

When I am weary, renew my spirit. When I am wounded, heal my heart. When I am the one who needs forgiveness, help me to trust in your mercy and begin again.

Let my words be gentle, my hands be open, and my heart be a reflection of you, so that through me, others may glimpse the kindness of Jesus

Amen.