Luke 15:1 - 3, 11 - 32
I think the parable of the prodigal son continues to intrigue us two thousand years later because we all know people like the sons. In fact, to be honest, we probably identify with one or the other. I identify with the older son. I grew up being the oldest in my family. While I didn't have to work for my father on his farm, I felt a sense of responsibility toward my sisters; I felt like I had to be the peacemaker between my mother and father, who hardly let a week go by without some kind of verbal conflict ending in cold silence. I felt most of all that I had to make them proud by getting good grades, by achieving my eagle scout badge in Boy Scouts, by striving, always striving, to be the best that I could be. This isn’t a healthy way to live, by the way, because as soon as you achieve one thing you look around for another mountain to climb, and this goes on long after your parents have passed away. Now fortunately I did not have a younger brother like the one in the parable. But I knew people like that. When it came time for my high school class to move on to college, or learn a trade or get a job, one of them, a guy who was a few years younger than his older sister, whose parents were pretty wealthy, decided to take a gap year, before that became popular. Pete went off to Las Angeles and lived off his dad’s money for a while. I don’t know if he ever had a job. The last time I saw him was at our 25th class reunion, and he was still in Las Angeles living with another guy and pretty much enjoying the surfing lifestyle.
And deep down I sort of resented it. How could he be so irresponsible? Why wasn’t he trying to make something of himself? Even though it was none of my business, it bothered me.
So, when I read this parable, I side with the older son. This is not a story about repentance, to me. It’s about a dad who indulges his younger son whom he has failed as a father. And it never stops. The kid asks for his share of the estate, and that means selling land and livestock so that it can be turned into cash. He goes off with his dad's blessing and blows all that money on having a good time. He gets so down and out that he has no place to turn, so then he decides to come home. Not because he wants forgiveness; listen to him. “Dad’s got money. I'll go home and pretend I’m sorry. He’s a soft touch and I’m his favorite. I’ll call him ‘father’ and just watch, the old boy’s heart will melt.” And he does that, and the father’s heart melts, and the fatted pig is killed, and robes and rings are put on, and a great party is thrown.
And the older brother comes home and finds out what is going on. And the dad comes out and reminds his son that everything he has is his, what’s the big deal? Come in and celebrate, your brother is home, he’s alive, isn’t that great?” And I sympathize. The older son might very well have said, “It’s not great. I know I have everything, but what is lacking is your love. You kill the pig for the kid, and you haven’t ever offered to throw a party for me and my friends.”
And that’s where we leave the story. The older brother and his dad are standing outside the party, unable to see the point being made by each other.
Now I’m sure a lot of us have identified with the younger son; we’ve recognized our sinfulness and we are so grateful that God's mercy is so great, so accessible in the sacrament of Penance. But remember, the younger son never expressed sorrow or a desire for forgiveness; he was just at the end of his rope and hungry and had nowhere else to go. I have a feeling that most churchgoers are more like the older son -- we are doing our duty, we are people that get the job done, both here and at home and at work. You can count on us. The people who are like the younger son aren’t here. They are at a movie or out to supper or sleeping in on Sunday morning. They haven’t a care in the world but will turn up when things start going sideways. And those of us who are older sons can’t help but resent that a little bit.
I don’t see the dad in this story as standing in for God. I see a dad who takes his older son for granted and indulges his younger son. In a way, the dad is the reason they are that way. The older son lives to get his dad’s attention and approval; the dad, on the other hand, has spoiled and continues to spoil the younger son.
So what can we take away from this story? I think the clue is to remember who Jesus is talking to. They are the leaders of the people, who wonder why he eats with tax collectors and sinners. And maybe he wants them to see that they are the older son, and the sinners are the younger son, and rather than shun the sinner, they have to make the first move, they have to go into the house and welcome the younger brother, because nothing will change unless that happens. Jesus came to build a world where self-giving love was the norm, but we have a world where we shut out people we regard as sinners. During Lent let us see the older brother in our own hearts, and look for a younger brother to begin the process of reconciliation, even if he doesn’t want that right now.
