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Many Christians are familiar with the parable of the prodigal son. It is a parable that focuses on a son who renounces his father, but eventually returns and repents of his wrongdoing.
St. John Paul II said in a homily in 1999 that this parable should be renamed.
He then goes on to explain his reasoning, focusing on the merciful love that the father displays in the parable.
St. John Paul II believed that the primary focus of this parable should be the merciful love of the father and how that same love is extended to us all.
While naming the parable the "prodigal son" highlights an important aspect of the parable, naming it "the merciful father" puts the emphasis on God's abundant love revealed in the story.
