¹⁷ Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger.  ¹⁸ I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  ¹⁹ I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”  ²⁰ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.  ²¹ His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’  ²² But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  ²³ Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.  Continue reading →