The Prodigal Son
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells us about the story of the Prodigal Son. The story of the Prodigal Son can be seen in 3 scenes that take place:
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The negotiations of the younger son with his father and his departure to a distant country where he squandered all his inheritance;
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The homecoming of the younger son and the welcome by his father; and
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The exchange between the father and his older son.
The younger son asked for his share of the inheritance. In ancient times, as today, property is only divided at the death of the parent. Therefore, the son’s request amounts to saying, “Father, I wish you were dead!” The younger son’s request is disrespectful. Deuteronomy 21:17 specifies that the first son is to be given a double portion of the inheritance. If there are two sons, the property is to be divided into 3 portions; 2/3 goes to the elder son and 1/3 goes to the younger son.
When the younger son leaves for a distance country, he distances himself from his father and older brother both geographically and psychologically. After spending lavishly all his inheritance, he becomes a servant of a farmer in the foreign country. The farmer is a Gentile because he has a pig farm. Feeding pigs would be bad enough for a Jew, but to consider sharing the food of the pigs is totally degrading. “He came to himself” can indicate that he came to his senses and got clarity on his situation. That does not necessarily mean that he had remorse. He realised that he was better off at home. We can see ourselves in this son. He is a sinners because he broke relations with his very own father. How many times have we distanced ourselves from God and refused to make amends?
Nonetheless, his father welcomes him home with open arms, just like Our Father in heaven does. People would consider it undignified for an old man to run, but the father is eager to greet his son. He ordered the servants to put a robe on his son, a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. The robe, ring and sandals convey dignity. They signify that the father is returning this young man to the family. Meat is not part of the daily diet, but is reserved for special occasion. When meat is required, a family usually slaughters a sheep or goat which is cheaper and can be consumed easily within the household. They reserve the fatted calf for great celebrations, because it’s larger size is meant for neighbours and perhaps the whole village to consume. In slaughtering the fatted calf, the father sends the community a message that he has restored this son’s status. Jesus compares this to the parables of “The Lost Sheep” and “The Lost Coin”.
Food for thought : Think how God feels when we move away from Him.
The elder son’s first clue to the party is the sound of music and dancing. While the party is going on in the house, the father leaves it and goes to find his elder son for reconciliation just as he came out to greet the younger son. He pleads with him to join in the party, but is unsuccessful. The elder son’s refusal to join the celebration stems from his deep resentment. He feels being taken for granted and his reliable service is not celebrated. He accuses his father of showing preferential treatment. Are we so righteous like the older brother aka Scribes and Pharisees who was fulfilling his responsibilities and following rules just because he had to without love? Do we celebrate in church the homecoming of Prodigal Sons each week or do we bear resentment towards them?
Move closer to God and He will move closer to you. Our Father unfailingly pleads with us “to go back to Him with all our hearts* He is waiting for you and me. So, let’s run to Him!
With gratitude
Jackie and Geraldine
Questions for Reflection
How many times have we distanced ourselves from God and refused to make amends?
Think how God feels when we move away from Him.
Are we so righteous like the older brother aka Scribes and Pharisees who was fulfilling his responsibilities and following rules just because he had to without love?
Do we celebrate in church the homecoming of Prodigal Sons each week or do we bear resentment towards them?
