My son, my beloved son

Saturday Week Two

Reading: Luke 15:1-3 11-32

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘These fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ 

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, “Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.” So he divided his property between them.  A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living.  When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So, he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs.  He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything.  But when he came to himself he said, “How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger!  I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you: I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe – the best one-and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fattened calf and kill it and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” The he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes you killed the fattened calf for him! Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.”

Reflection

There are many references in scripture to the pharisees being present when Jesus speaks to the people. (Matthew 9:13,) (Mark 2:15-22) I ask myself whey were they there, was there a hunger in their heart for God, were they there to trap Jesus, how did Jesus respond to their presence. Jesus never wastes an opportunity to teach the pharisees and me about what is important in life and uses everyday examples to call them and me to conversion. The scriptures abound with practical advice on family relationships and how they affect inheritance. ‘The good leave an inheritance to their children’s children.’ (Proverbs 13:22) and ‘Listen to your father who begot you and do not despise your mother when she is old.’ (Proverbs 23:22)

In this instance, the more difficult dynamics of family life come under Gospel scrutiny and are embraced in the mercy of God.  The age-old desire of youth to be independent of their parents is revealed.  The shortcomings of their lack of life experience and wisdom are brought to our attention; we are invited to reflect on the following:  An impetuous young man asks his father for his inheritance.  Insensitive to the feelings of his father, he leaves home to seek out a new life abroad; sadly, much of the moral code of good family life (Exodus 20:12) is forgotten as “he squandered his property in dissolute living.” Soon, reality bites and he is alone and isolated in a strange land.  The greatest isolation that he experiences results from the sin that has invaded his soul.  Hungry for food and affection, he seeks out the warmth and affection of his father’s bosom.  Reflective of the fatherhood of God, a generous, forgiving father welcomes him home; a banquet of healing and reconciliation are prepared; great is the rejoicing of father, son and friends.

The foolishness and shadow of the elder son come to light; years of hidden resentment and anger surface; hurt real or imagined comes to light and blocks his participation in the homecoming celebration.  His spirit is stuck and weighed down by the burdens that he carries; his need for forgiveness and reconciliation are no less than that of the younger son; the need may even be greater because his sin is unacknowledged. Suffering has purified the soul of the younger brother; not so the elder.   A compassionate father wishes to gather both his sons in his arms like ‘a hen gathers her brood under his wings’ (Matthew 23:37) but the wounded elder son is unwilling to be embraced.

I may be challenged to reflect on my own life where my desire for independence may have hurt my parents. I ask myself what have I done to repair this all-important relationship or what do I still need to do.

In my ministry with some very vulnerable people, I witness many situations where family relationships have broken down and young people are estranged from parents for many different reasons. I hear comments like, ‘I can’t go home because my parents don’t understand why I have made such a mess of my life, I am better off on my own.’ I also hear the anguish of parents when they feel that they have lost their son or daughter and don’t know how to reconnect with them again. On occasion, I witness great fidelity when a mother attends the centre regularly to support her son as he tries to rebuild his life while struggling with mental health and addiction issues. This is a clear manifestation of the power of love in action each day.

 During this Lenten season I am asked to reflect on the times in my life when my pride and self-sufficiency have hurt God when I have not lived by Gospel values.  On occasion, I have sought out the bosom of my heavenly father when pain or misfortunes have brought me to my senses; I ask myself, how sincere has ‘my return home’ been? Do I like the young man in the Gospel, ‘get up and go to my father, and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son;’ (child)) Do I truly believe that God’s mercy and love for me and all humanity is so great ‘that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, not things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38-39) What resolutions have I made to live a life ‘worthy of the calling to which you have been called’ (Ephesians 4:1)

What actions do you need to take to rebuild your family relationships?

Do you believe that God will welcome you home when you ‘fall on your knees and ask for mercy?

Are you able to live in a new way when your sin has been forgiven.

Prayer

I ask forgiveness for the many times that I have squandered the inheritanceof grace offered to me by my Father.Fill my heart with humility O God, that I may acknowledge my sin; be embraced in your love; cleansed; healed and made whole.