One son wanted his own way and acted it out through independence from the father and escaped from personal responsibility. The other, through pride and self-righteousness, became wayward without ever leaving home. All the while the Father s love was there. We don t like to think of ourselves as wayward, but some of us are. We have not followed the way of Christ in what we say or do.
Sin establishes the opposite relationship from grace.
It is purposely choosing not to allow God s love to affect our lives, relationships, decisions and actions. Sin is a failure to choose to live as who we are sons and daughters of God, brothers and sisters to each other in Christ. Sin hurts us because it keeps us from the true source of life, happiness and love God or because it does that to others through our actions. Sin moves us away from God, but God s love for us is constant as the Father in today s gospel no matter what we choose. He will continue to love us.