God always loves us Celebration is a word we haven't often associated with the Sacrament of Reconciliation. But in Jesus' parable, it is obviously important and imperative. Because a sinner has converted, repented, confessed and returned. Celebration makes sense only when there is really something to celebrate. For example, attending an office party can be such an empty gathering for the spouse or friend of an employee.
Celebration flows from lived experience or it is meaningless.
The need for celebration to follow common lived experiences is especially true of sacramental celebrations. All of the sacraments are communal celebrations of the lived experience of believing Christians. Perhaps what we need to help us feel more comfortable with the idea of celebration in relation to Reconciliation is a conversion from our own rugged individualism. In the face of such love and forgiveness we feel uncomfortable. The older brother in our story expresses this same discomfort.