Micah 7:14-20, Psalm 103, Luke 15:1-32
A Father’s crazy love!
The story of the prodigal son captures both the strengths and weaknesses of our human nature. It portrays a loving and forgiving father and a lost son who has squandered his life and his possessions.
The parable is often used at reconciliation services to illustrate the importance of conversion in our lives. That when we have strayed from God we need only turn our hearts back to him and God will welcome us with open arms. As an illustration of the power of conversion and repentance I think the story speaks volumes on its own.
The interesting thing is that Jesus does not present the story on its own. In Luke’s Gospel it is prefaced by two other little anecdotes, one about a lost sheep and the other about a lost coin. The context seems to be telling us that the parable is not so much about sin and repentance but about God’s passionate love for each one of us.
When you consider a woolly little sheep grazing in the pasture do you think it might have any sense of right and wrong, do we think of a sheep as a moral creature? A coin doesn’t hide itself on purpose nor can it do anything for itself to be found again. But the objects in both stories do have one thing in common. They are both highly valued by the ones who have lost them and in both cases the owners go to extravagant means to get them back.
Jesus is trying to tell us something here. He is trying to get into our heads how much God is in love with us, so much so that it’s just plain foolish. He is trying to teach us that God will do anything for us.
When we look once again at the story of the prodigal son from this perspective we focus not on the sin of the young man, not on his decision to return to his home to face what waits for him there. Instead our focus is on the Father who never stops loving. The father who goes about his daily routine with only half a mind on his work while he keeps one eye on the horizon always hopeful that this will be the day that his lost son returns. In the story there is not a moment of hesitation in the father when he finally sees his son. There is no playing back in his mind of the many ways the son had hurt him. Rather he runs to greet his son while he is still a long way off and holds him in his arms and kisses him even before the son has chance to say he is sorry.
The Father is waiting. What are you waiting for?
Ask for help to forgive someone who has hurt you.
I agree with you; there are many good lessons in this parable. What is never properly explained though is the treatment received by the second son. The one who stayed at home, obeyed his father, worked hard and; in comparison has not been “rewarded” as much for his faithfulness.
I’m sure his father loves him as much as his other son. But you can understand his feelings.
I never understood why Jesus mentions the feelings of the second son in His parable. He could have stopped the story at the reunion and feasting. But He went on about the second son being hurt and resentful.
No priest I’ve known has explained this fully.
God bless you.
Good Morning Victor
Yes, of course you are right. When choosing between a heartfelt reunion between father and son and a jealous, vindictive brother I suspect most preachers will tend toward the happy ending. Maybe we shouldn’t let ourselves off the hook so easily. There are many unusual twists in the parables and this one needs to be explored…next time : )
Have a great day.
Just back from mass and as I proclaimed the Gospel I had Victor’s question at the back of my mind. Why would the parable add this ominous sidebar about a jealous brother? I think it had to be for the benefit of the Pharisees and those standing around. The happy ending was for the Tax Collectors, the difficult ending was for the Pharisees and those who were grumbling. Two audiences, one parable. Very sneaky.