We return to reflect on one of the most beloved parables in the Gospel: the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32). With his direct, uncompromising style, full of contemporary examples, the priest reminded us that “we live in a world of sinners—myself included—” and that sin, however small it may seem, always leads us to a “far country” where we end up tending pigs and longing to eat their pods.

“Jesus said ‘a distant country’ because there is nothing more distant than sin,” Father Espinosa explained. And although he acknowledged that there is less street violence in Europe or the United States than in Mexico, Central America, or South America, he asked with sorrow, “Where is the safety of a baby in its mother’s womb? Where is the safety of the elderly?” He recalled the 2003 heat wave in France, when nearly 20,000 elderly people died, abandoned by their families, many of them without even a glass of water.

The core of the message was the phrase that marked the turning point of the parable: “I will rise.” For the priest, that moment—when the prodigal son “comes to himself”—is the decisive moment of every conversion. “As soon as he said, ‘I will rise,’ everything was set right. A crack opened through which the Holy Spirit entered,” he affirmed.

Father Ángel emphasized the reaction of the father in the parable, who runs to his son, embraces him, and covers him with kisses before he can finish his speech of repentance. “Bring the best robe, the ring, the sandals, and kill the fattened calf…” He then explained the symbolism: the ring represents ownership (“you are still my son”), the sandals distinguish the son from the slave, and the banquet is heaven’s feast for a repentant sinner.

Nor did he overlook the older son, that “good person” who is scandalized and refuses to join the celebration. “Yes, he’s better off than the younger one, but he’s also in a very bad way. He feels no joy at his brother’s salvation.” And he brought up real cases that illustrate boundless mercy: Bernard Nathanson, the doctor who performed more than 75,000 abortions and ended up becoming one of the world’s leading pro-life figures. “The worst baby killer is probably already in heaven, because one day he said, ‘I will rise.’”

The priest concluded with a pointed appeal: “Do you know anyone who is tending pigs? Someone involved in hardcore pornography, alcoholism, drugs, adultery, shady dealings… Don’t laugh or make jokes. Be the one to open the door for them with a word, a piece of advice, so they can say, ‘What am I doing here? I will get up.’”

As is typical of his videos, Father Espinosa ended with his now famous phrase: “Let us do all the good we can and may God always bless you.”

The video, published on his official channels, has already surpassed half a million views in less than 48 hours and has generated thousands of comments from people who claim to have felt the impulse to reconcile with God, with their families or with themselves.

“I will rise.” Three words that, according to Father Ángel Espinosa, can change an entire life and open the doors to the banquet that the Father in Heaven has prepared for every child who returns home.