The Return of the Prodigal Son, James Tissot, via Wikimedia Commons
O lover of men, O father of mercies,
You are rich in mercy to all who call upon you.
I have sinned.
I am not fit to be called your son,
Nor to be your servant.
But I repent!
Help my impenitence and be merciful to me.
Deep calls to deep:
My deep misery calls to your deep compassion.
Overcome my evil with your goodness;
Let mercy rejoice against judgment.
Lancelot Andrewes, 1555 – 1626, English bishop, oversaw the KJV translation
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“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
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