Next (Jesus) said:
A certain man had two sons.
His younger son to the father,
‘Father, give to me
a share of the estate, that falls to me.’
So he divided between them his livelihood.
And after not many days
having gathered everything together,
the younger son left for a distant country
and there he squandered his estate
living recklessly.
When he had spent everything he had,
a severe famine came upon that country,
and he began to be in need.
So he went and hired himself to a citizen of that country,
and he sent him to his fields to tend pigs.
And he longed to be filled with the carob pods,
which the pigs were eating
and no-one gave him anything.
Coming to himself, he said:
‘How many workers of my father
have enough bread
but I am famished
about to perish (be lost)?
I will get up and go to my father, and I will say:
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you
I am no longer worthy to be called your son,
Make me as one of your workers. “‘
And getting up he went to his father
Yet while he was long way off
his father saw him
and had pity on him,
running he fell on his neck
and he kissed him.
The son said to him:
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you
No longer am I worthy to be called your son…’
But the father said to his slaves:
‘Quickly bring the best robe and put it on him,
and put a ring on his hand
and sandals on his feet .
And bring the fattened calf,
kill it and
let us eat and celebrate
because this son of mine
was dead and has come back to life,
was lost and is found’
and they began to celebrate.
O Love, O God who created me, in your love recreate me.
O Love, who redeemed me,
fill up in me whatever part of your love
has fallen into neglect within me.
O Love, O God, who first loved me,
grant that with my whole heart,
and with my whole soul,
and with my whole strength,
I may love you.
Gertrude the Great