This Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, is a time of celebration in the midst of the pentitential season of Lent. Laetare, a time of Joy and Hope, which we evidence in flowers, a particular color of rose vestments and candles, and even more full and upbeat music—all permitted by the Church during this Sunday as we focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting in preparation of the ultimate joy that is Easter.

In our reading from the Gospel of Luke, our “retreat master” for these weeks of Lent, we hear today about God’s unconditional love, His desire to always and everywhere welcome us back to Him, and that God’s Forgiveness and mercy are truly abundant. We hear this in the all-familiar parable of the Prodigal Son.

The story is one of a self-absorbed younger son. A son who has expectations of what he deserves—what is owed to him by his father. As the young man demands this expected way of life to come to him before his father’s passing; through no work or skill of his own and only by way of a handout. The word “arrogance” or “entitled” comes to mind.

We should ask ourselves if this young man has been spoiled all his life, indulged at his every whim? Has he never heard the words “no” or “how will you earn this?” This gospel is perfect, sadly, for our world today. It appears for many that our culture prepares people to have their expectations handed to them.

We often hear of children being given all that they desire, even when it is bad for them. Spoiled with unearned luxuries many today demand expectations of a world beyond their grasp—often to the detriment, e.g., a child whose career path might not enable them to handle the debt of a prestigious college or university, and yet they are encouraged to attend thus exit the four-year journey with insurmountable debt. But this gospel account isn’t about bad choices or spoiled kids; it isn’t a call for “tough love” but rather it is about the choices we make when we place ourselves in the role of God instead of the created.

The younger son made bad choices. He was selfish at the beginning, but then he realized his ways were wrong and turned in a new direction and sought his father’s forgiveness. He was prepared to return home not as the heir-apparent but as a worker on the farm.

This is a story about forgiveness and healing. Would it have felt good for the father to say, “I told you so…”? Perhaps. But in the end, like our loving God, the goal is not to rub our faces in the bad choices or the selfishness of our desires, rather the end goal is to welcome us all back home to God the Father. To be forgiven and healed, made one with Him.

God is love after all. And in the end Love never fails. It only heals, forgives, endures and seeks the excellence of the other. In the end, the goal of love is to seek agapé, the unconditional and unending love of God that benefits all and is the love that we shall share in Heaven. Happy Laetare Sunday. A day we celebrate that which we are to become.