March 5th

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Linda Hillis

The Parable of the Prodigal Son…

Prior to this parable are two other parables – the one about the lost sheep and another about the lost coin, each illustrating that God rejoices about each sinner who repents. The parable of the lost son continues the theme of rejoicing and adds to it. The first half of the story describes rejoicing over the sinner who returned, the second half more directly addresses the reaction of the father and the older son. In the first two parables, the lost were found by searching. In this parable, the younger son was found by waiting. When the father sees the son coming from far off he is not filled with anger or rage, but with compassion. He runs to him and embraces him, and then celebrates his return by preparing a feast and giving the son a robe and sandals (signs of honor). In this story we are reminded “nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Just as the earthly father rejoices in the return of his son, so does our heavenly Father rejoice when we repent and return to his flock. In the second half of the parable, we are confronted with the reaction of the older son. He is full of anger and jealousy when he learns his brother has returned and their father has received him with open arms. Unfortunately, the parable ends without revealing what the older son did.  Would the hard-hearted son change his mind and rejoice about the brother’s return? How many times have we felt anger and jealously when we perceive that someone else has received preferential treatment? Are we able to be happy for someone else who has been healed of their illness, gotten the promotion we wanted, or live in the house of our dreams? The father’s reaction again reminds us to put aside our own disappointment and anger.  “My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "