March 14, 2010
Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32
Every time I read this story, I look at it differently, because different things are going on in my mind and in my life. And I’m different characters in the story each time. As you hear the story today, who are you? Are you the younger son? The older son? Or the father?
Sometimes I’m the younger son, rebellious, wanting to run away and try something new and different. Sometimes I’m the older son, trying to do all the right things, and being resentful when things don’t go the way they’re supposed to. Sometimes I’m the father, loving both sons and wanting only good things for each of them, knowing I have to let them be themselves and learn their own lessons.
I’ve also been the mother of two sons, and wondered why Jesus didn’t mention the mother in the story. What, I’ve wondered did she have to say about the wisdom of giving the younger son the entire amount he was due, instead of only a portion? How did she deal with the sibling rivalry between the boys as they were growing up? Surely, they both grew up knowing the older son would get 2/3 of the estate, and the younger son would get 1/3.
How did she cope with wondering what had happened to the younger son after he left? Did she spend her time looking up and down the road like the father did, watching every single day for the son to return? Did she berate the father for letting him go? Did she console the father when he wondered if he had done the right thing in giving the son his inheritance? How did the parents handle the mixed emotions the older son would have had? Grief at the loss of his brother; anger at being left to do more of the work of the land; joy at the lack of competition; …..
How did the mother react when the younger son showed up? Was she there too, running to hug him? Did she turn to marshal the servants to cook the fixings for the meal? Did she run to make sure the younger son’s room was made ready for him? Certainly, her rejoicing was just as intense as the father’s.
This wondering leads me to wonder about the feelings of the sons. We read that the older brother was resentful that the younger son returned. He always tried to be so perfect. Why were they not expecting perfection from his brother? And yet, was he also overjoyed to see his little brother? Was he secretly relieved to have him back in his life? For sure, he would no longer see his parents constantly looking off in the distance, wondering. In spite of his disrespectful attitude, he still had his parents’ love.
How did the younger son feel at his reception? He expected to be scolded and sent to the servant’s quarters, or even chased away, forever homeless. Instead, he was wined and dined like a hero, and welcomed home with open arms. He wasn’t even allowed to make his speech of apology and pleading. His parents welcomed him home and wrapped their arms around him in spite of the fact that he was probably dirty and smelled like pigs.
We who have heard this story year after year know it’s about the love God has for us. We know God loves us and welcomes us no matter how we have behaved, how dirty and smelly we are. We are reminded God’s love is not dependent upon our actions, but upon our open, repentant heart. When we return after a time away, God rejoices. God also rejoices when we turn to God each and every day of our lives.
There were all sorts of people with Jesus when he told this story. There were tax collectors and sinners, and Pharisees and scribes. Most likely, as Jesus told the story, he intended the “sinners and tax collectors” to hear the warm welcome home as good news for them. And Jesus intended the Pharisees and scribes to hear the warning in his words, yet also the welcome as good news for all. God does not expect perfect behavior; God expects humble hearts open to God’s loving welcome and forgiveness. We don’t hear the response of the Pharisees and scribes; nor do we hear the response of the sinners and tax collectors. We don’t even hear the end of the story – we don’t know if the older brother came to the party or continued to sulk and stay away.
Your challenge for this week or longer is to imagine yourself in the story of your own lives. Look back and find the times when you were the father, the mother, the older son, and the younger son. When have you felt lost, and then found? When have you been the righteous one, expecting perfection of yourself and those around you? When have you encouraged others in their grief and pain, and sought reconciliation? When have you offered forgiveness and welcome, even after being hurt? When have you known that only God could make your life whole again?
Please pray with me. Gracious Lord, we come to you with our imperfect hearts. Help us to come home when we know we are lost. Help us to see when we have been lost and don’t know it, and bring us home to you. And lead us to seek and find those who are lost, and bring them home to you. In Jesus’ name, amen
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