The third of Jesus’ three parables in Luke 15 is His ultima reply to those who complain and criticize Him for welcoming and eating with sinners. As an important Lenten theme, the parable of the "Prodigal Son" describes the amazing joy our Heavenly Father feels toward those who repent. We are in God’s family by the same forgiving love that sent our Father’s Son to the cross for sinners we may think are worse than we are.