Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Dear Friends, Today’s parable enjoys the popular name of the Prodigal Son. This title loses much of the drama and message of the parable. It is definitely about three persons. Each character has much to teach us. Luke’s magnificent parable, by whatever name, continues this Lent’s theme of repentance.
The first son’s story tells of greed and indulgence encountering the harsh limits of the human condition. The way out is repentance leading to an encounter with mercy. His story tells us as sinners that no step toward God, no matter however small or feeble, will go unanswered.
The s second person is the father. Here we have the great insights into the potential of loving human relationships overcoming the power of possessions and prestige. He shows us clearly the importance of people over property. The father’s response deals with the abandonment of both sons. It is hardly possible to have a more simple and profound mirror of the unconditional love and mercy of God.
The father’s love shows us that God’s love is neither earned nor deserved. It is extravagant, uncalculating, absolute and free. God loves the sinner while he is still a sinner. This divine love is there even before the repentance. It is this divine love that makes the change of heart possible for all of us sinners.
In the second son we have the image of interior alienation that has festered like a cancer over the years. The African American community has a rich description of this experience. It is called the pity party. His self-absorption blinded him to the beautiful love right in front of him. Instead, a hidden anger and jealousy blocked out all the blessings of an incredible parent.
The first son found himself lost in the dark pit of total failure and utter despair. The painful conclusion was the degradation of feeding the pigs. He approached his father in fear and trembling with his well prepared plea for minimal acceptance. His last-hope spiel was cut off by the outrageous rush of mercy and forgiveness by the father.
The whole scene is a litany of violations of expected behavior by the father. It was totally uncouth to leave the house, and even worst, to run. The embrace was completely out of character for an older man in this culture. The fattened calf in these circumstances was simply unheard of. Every accepted ritual for an offended father was shattered in a total loss of dignity. All the broken cultural norms gave further force to the father’s overwhelming cry: I love you! I forgive you! I accept you in great joy! You are back and nothing else matters. On with the party!
The same routine, in a more subtle way, was carried out in the case of the second son. The father left the house once again in violation of the demands of his dignity. He gave no credence to the despicable description of him as a horrible and unconcerned father. The hostility and anger was met with his hand reaching out in mercy and understanding. The self-pity was countered with an invitation to give all that he had. The withdrawal was challenged with the invitation to join the celebration.
He did not let the son’s pathetic anger and jealousy obstruct the dialogue. His only response to a sea of negativity was love, patience, encouragement and acceptance.
There is an even deeper message for us that relates to the overall experience of Jesus and his ultimate rejection. He was accepting the sinners and tax collectors while the Pharisees and Scribes stay wrapped up in the rigidity of their self-righteousness. The first son’s story is pure gospel. The lost are found. The sinners are being forgiven. The dead are rising to new life.
In contrast, the second son is clearly a model of the Jewish leaders locked into their resentment and hostility towards Jesus. They consider all the forgiven sinners as thieves of their privileged heritage. They wallow in the self-pity as Jesus forgives and accepts the tax collectors and sinners.
In the father’s actions, Jesus unveils the awesome wonder of the Father’s mercy and unconditional love. Our Lenten call is to recognize ourselves in both sons. We are invited to the party. We are called to let go of our blinding indulgence in the dead-end pursuits of a self-absorbed life. We are asked to forgo our self-pity and jealousy. Most of all, the utter life-robbing power of the long held grudge is laid out in utter simplicity.
The indispensable response on our part is clear. We need to accept ourselves in our broken condition. We are called to share God’s unconditional love with our brothers and sisters. We are asked to give up the feeling of resentment. We are invited to open up the dialogue in spite of all the perceived violations of our rights and dignity. We need to accept God’s ever-present love and mercy on our Lenten journey to the great party of Easter Sunday.
