In the parable of the Prodigal Son, after receiving his share of his father’s inheritance, he goes off to a “distant country.” Something has been a bit lost in the translation, since “distant country” is a place of emptiness, void of meaning and purpose. Selfishness and self absorption lead only and always to an inner void that can’t be satisfied. Our lives become “empty” vessels, dry and hollow.
Coming to his senses , a beautiful phrase, the young son realizes the place where his “heart’s desires” led: a place of shallow dreams. This situation, being hungry, a Jew living with swine, pockets are empty, no friends, pierced his heart of senseless desires that lead no where. Conversion. Metanoia. He came to his true senses!!! He “saw” himself and his alienation in the light of God’s mercy, that found expression as his beloved father “ran out to him.”
Yes, our God is waiting for YOU, for each one of us, to come to our senses. Face the truth as ugly as it may be only to be immersed in the beauty of the Father, whose existence is solely to give love and mercy. This is given in the Son.
Jesus eating with sinners.