Sunday Readings: Joshua 5.9, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5.17-21; Luke 15.1-3, 11-32
“Your younger brother came, and your father killed the fatted calf because he has him back in good health. The older son was angry and would not go in, so his father came out and begged him.” – Luke 15.27-28
For the younger, prodigal son in Sunday’s gospel, the pig trough turns out to be a holy place. He is entirely wrong about which relationships in his life are most sustaining. He gathers fair weather, party people around him. Only when he bottoms out at the pig trough does he change his mind and heart about what he wants. His self-centered lifestyle has starved him into recognizing he needs a sustaining relationship. The younger son goes home to ask forgiveness.
One lost son is found but the older son is lost in resentment? He wants to see his brother punished. The merciful father who has welcomed one son home has to seek out and beg the older son to come to the party? Will he come? The parable does tell us.
When have you been the repentant, prodigal son? When have you been the forgiving father? When have you been the resentful son?
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