Prodigal

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ ” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate. ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’ Luke 15:1-2, 11-32

We all know the story of the prodigal son. It is so much more powerful because this story shows us the very real love God has for us all. It encompasses the complex emotions of every family. The faithful older brother is put out by his father's grace. We are probably, at one time or another, every character in this parable. Many of us know the incredible joy of welcoming home a child. Many of us have been the prodigal working our way back home. And many of us are the older, faithful child who resents the love and forgiveness the father shows to his deadbeat brother. First and foremost, this is about our Creator, and how our God seeks after us, no matter what we have done. Some of the audience for this story telling were tax collectors and sinners who sat open mouthed, hearing God is always welcoming us home. The other hearers were the religious leadership, who too were shocked by God's liberating love for all people, no matter their station or their crimes.

Wondrous Creator, you set stars in the sky to guide us

and teach us from infancy how to live in community

and yet we often walk away and try to live on our own.

We can be arrogant, thinking the rules don't apply to us

we can be blind to our huge shortcomings and failures

while pointing out small flaws in siblings and neighbors.

Help us to be that prodigal running home to the father

make us the father always ready to open our arms in welcome

and the brother who shares his hurt and hears how loved he truly is. Amen.