Reflections
The parable of the lost son
March 26, 2011, 12:08am
LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32
...Jesus said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his
father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to
me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days,
the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant
country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that
country, and he found himself in dire need... Coming to his senses he
thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough
food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to
my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven
and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as
you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back
to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught
sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son,
embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your
son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest
robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his
feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate
with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life
again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now
the older son… became angry, and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in
reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey
your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my
friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with
prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But
now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has
come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
We, too, have experienced hurts in our families. When these hurts rub on us and cause so much pain, we could remember a few things: 1. We are not the only one hurt; all family members are affected. 2. We need space. Respect and allow that space even in a very close-knit family. 3. Learn to fill up for another. The father acts as mother, welcoming the lost son and reaching out to the elder.
Sing aloud the whole day.
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