Today's Gospel: The Parable of the Prodigal Son

Pompeo Batoni's painting, Return of the Prodigal Son (1773), is one of my favorites. I love the Father enfolding the boy in his cloak. What a tender gesture. And Betoni makes the father himself and his son take on the shape of the cross. The trim of his cloak makes the cross beam and his head and the son's body make the verticle beam. The band on his hat reminds me of the crown of thorns and his face resembles our Savior's This portrait encapsulates the message of the cross: sorrow, love and forgiveness? The son, like us, kneels at the foot of the cross weeping in repentance for sin. The father, with the face of Jesus looks down in love and forgiveness. Art can touch our hearts with a depth of meaning that takes many words to describe. Pray for poor sinners today. Father, forgive us; we know not what we do. Blessed Jacinta, little victim soul for sinners, pray for us.