Sunday, March 27, 2022
Luke 15:1-3,11b-32
The Prodigal son parable is one of the most familiar parables. I remember first hearing it when I was about 12. I can remember thinking the prodigal was a really bad guy. I didn’t think his older brother was wrong in being pretty ticked off with his return home and the accompanying celebration of his arrival.
Later in my life, I thought some about the older brother and saw him more self-righteous – coming off as pretty judgmental and entitled.
Now in my older adult years I so resonate with the beautiful forgiving spirit of the dad and can now see more clearly what Jesus offers us in this story.
This parable is about us. We all have our prodigal days. There are the times we make hurtful, destructive choices as we try to tame our demons –after leaving paths of destruction of self and others. There are other times when self-absorption turns us into judgmental beings who find the world unfair when our hard work or acts of piety don’t bring us the recognition or admiration our egos crave.
Thank God for the Father piece that lies in our clay footed Christian hearts. This part of us can emerge and offer wonderous grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness to a world that often seems unjust, indifferent, or hostile. The Christ in you and me can work on our prodigal/self-righteous selves to become more like our Lord as we bless, love, and forgive others. We can choose to be a light in a broken world. God will help us become true Christ followers. All we need to do is ask Him.
Reflection by Sara Vale
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