This year, the theme for our adult faith program is “Transformed by the Holy Spirit.” What a beautiful account of transformation we find in today’s Gospel! In the timeless story of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, we meet a Father who waits, unconditionally loving, arms outstretched, for the return of two sons who have drifted away from him: one physically, the other spiritually. When Pope Francis was asked to serve as a bishop in Buenos Aires, he chose as his motto Miserando atque eligendo: “Looking upon him with mercy, Jesus chose him.” Since his election as Pope, Francis has placed the theme of mercy at the very heart of his papal ministry, bearing witness to it in word and deed. In his impromptu press conference on the return from World Youth Day 2013 in Rio, he spoke of the need for a more compassionate and welcoming response to those who feel excluded from the Church, by famously saying: “Who am I to judge?” He went on to explain: "Mercy is a larger theme than the immediate question you raise. I believe this is the time of mercy. There are many problems in the church – the bad example of some priests, corruption, clericalism – these have left many wounds. The church is a mother: she must reach out to heal the wounds, with mercy. The Lord never tires of forgiving, and we don't have any other path than this one. As a mother, the church must find mercy for everyone. When the Prodigal Son returned home, his father didn't say: “Sit down. What did you do with the money?” No, he held a party. When the son was ready to talk, they talked. The church must do the same. It’s not enough just to wait for people to return: we must go and seek them. This is mercy. I believe that our time is a kairos of mercy.” Are we willing to be transformed by divine mercy? Do we dare to believe in a God whose love is that big, that unconditional? Or are we still tempted to see God as harsh, petty, and punitive? In the end, we become the God we worship. So as we receive the Prodigal Father’s healing mercy, as we welcome this undeserved gift, let us enter into this dynamic of transformation. Then, like St. Teresa of Calcutta, we can become vessels of mercy to others, bringing that love especially to those who are most hurting, both near and far.