Saturday of Second week in Lent (MI 7:14-20; MT 21:33-46) Many identify deeply with and are drawn to the prodigal son’s story. However, our focus is usually on the interaction between the younger son and the father. The younger son demands his share of property from the father. One may say that he only asked for what should have rightfully come to him in due course. He was not robbing or whatever. Yet, among Jews, asking the father for inheritance was considered a very serious insult (as good as saying the father is dead for the person). Many people today behave in similar manner with God the Father. They think He does not exist (as good as dead). They think they can manage things “better than God”. The father, in this story, is strange, in that most fathers of that time would have kicked the child out of the house rudely and violently. However, this father, hears his child’s prayer (if we may say so) and grants him his share of property. Once out in the world, and away from the father’s protection, he lives a life based on “prodigality” and easy shelling out of money. All the parasites that one can think of surround this young man (wanting to get their hands into this source of money for themselves). While reading some articles about “child stars” of our current times, I was shocked at the number that have fallen into these very “honey traps” – usually of wine and women / men and easy living and perhaps gambling because of huge sums of money at their disposal. Many people think they can buy popularity with tons of cash. Unfortunately, the money source soon dries up – either through being cheated or through foolishness. When it dries up, the friends leave, literally leaving the person literally in a worse state than animals. Even animals receive better treatment than many poor people. The young man now works with in a pig farm (one of the most degrading jobs for a self respecting Jew). The pig-owner denies this man even the pods, which pigs eat. His logic is perhaps clear. Feeding pigs fattens them and increases his earnings, whereas feeding this man only fattens the man, makes him lazy, and work less (there is no benefit to him). Scripture says that it is here that the young man comes to his senses. Sadly, many people, who do not seem to see God in their lives, continue to remain in their sad state (like some of the child stars; some of whom even committed suicide). Let us pray this day, that many may come back to the Heavenly Father, who is full of love and compassion. On the other hand is the father. In spite of everything, he loves this son deeply. He waits for his son, knowing well that the world is cruel. Sure enough the son comes back, all in tatters and perhaps stinking (what else can one expect when dealing with pigs). Yet, the father embraces the son and kisses him. God the Father too in a way, let the smear and filth of sin touch His unsullied person, in embracing and kissing His son (surely some filth and dirt would have rubbed off onto the father too, when he embraces and even kisses his son). He does so, because His beloved child, tired, worn and weary has come back. His heart, filled with love, cannot hold back. He wants to hold his beloved child in his arms. Perhaps we may say the Father is too prodigal on His love, for His children. He does not wait util they come home, and say that they are sorry. Even when He sees them coming back, He knows what is in their heart (including the hurts that the world has inflicted) and Himself rushes out to greet the child. What a comfort it is for us, that even before we really tell God that we are sorry, He is already welcoming us back home. While we usually focus on these two, let us for a moment look at the other character in this story – the elder son. Surprisingly, he too prefers to stay “outside” rather than “come in” to the Father’s house. The younger son “walked out” of the Father’s house, but now “returned”. It does not matter whether we “walk out” or “stay out”. In doing so, we do not allow God’s grace to touch us, as members of His house. This elder son resembles many of us. Perhaps he (and we) have not gone away from the Father, and rejected the Father. However, even as we perhaps go to Church, are there for Liturgy and Bible sharing etc., it seems that the Father’s nature has not entered us. There is still jealousy. There are perhaps still “judgmental” feelings against others. In doing so, we perhaps live lives of paupers. The Father had to come out, and bring this son too back home (not just the younger son). The Father had to remind this son, that all that belonged to Him was his. Sadly, he lived like a pauper, making strong distinctions between what belonged to the Father and to him. If he really did understand this, he would have realized that all graces and blessings in the Father’s house are for him and for his wise usage. Perhaps this elder brother did not realize that while staying outside and through his bad habits and ending up with very unhygienic conditions (working with pigs), the younger brother could have contracted terrible sickness, and many hurts. All his focus is (perhaps with a streak of jealousy) that the younger brother enjoyed (as he thinks) while he slaved. He does not realize that because he stayed with the Father, he was safe from the outside harmful influences, had good food on his table, and remained healthy. Sometimes what looks pleasing to the eyes, may not be as good for our spiritual and physical health. Heavenly Father, we pray for all, that we may all be safe in Your presence, and in Your home, sharing Your love.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:17:34 +0000
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