Leprosy was regarded with particular dread and abhorrence, not merely because of its hideous character and the risk of contagion, but also because it was looked on as a special chastisement inflicted by God on the leper for certain sins.
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In today’s Gospel parable of the prodigal son, Our Lord teaches us about the mercy of God. The prodigal son is ourselves. We are all sinners who have somehow offended God, who is our father, because of the allurements of this world. Our father, God, is ready to forgive us, but He respects our freedom and expects us to go back, humble, and contrite.
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Shame is a natural consequence of sin. Whenever we do something wrong, we want to hide; we don’t want anyone to see us, or talk to us; even if our sin is committed in private, we may at times feel that others are onto us. Edgar Allan Poe shows us the thoughts of a sinner in hiding: “Was it possible they heard not? ... –no, no! They heard! –they suspected! –they knew! –they were making a mockery of my horror!” This sinner in hiding was afraid that others already knew about his sin and were pretending not to. The story ends when the sinner readily admits his sin to the—unbeknownst to him—clueless bystanders.
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