Vol. 5 No.26 DoM Gospel Reflection-
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
4th Sunday of Lent- March 1, 2016
Linda Williams
Good Morning- Please as you listen to this commentary, keep one word in the back of your mind…Mercy! For a few reasons, please have mercy on me because this is my first time giving a commentary here and also as I attempt to relate it to the parable we have just heard regarding “The Prodigal Son.” One definition I found for “prodigal” was, recklessly extravagant, having spent everything. Mercy is defined as compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one’s power to punish or harm.
When I started working on this, I thought to myself- we’ve all heard this one so many times-what in the world am I going to be able to point out that hasn’t been brought out a million times already? So after prayer and a bit of research…I will try to keep it simple and speak on what jumped out to me…The part of the parable that wouldn’t get out of my mind was the “older son ” and his reactions. Well, guess what? When Jesus was giving this parable He was speaking primarily to the “Older Son” mentalities.
Let me digress for a second and get you to set your minds in the time period at which this was given- There were two kinds of groups that would have been there listening. The “tax collectors” and sinners—they would represent and identify with the “younger son.” They were usually intrigued by and attracted to Jesus. The second kind of listener would have been the Pharisees and teachers of the law, they would represent and identify with the “older son.” This group would have been offended by Him and not connect with Him easily or not at all. Also worth noting is that Jesus often told parables in such a way to shock the listeners! In this parable and in that day and time..He did just that. They weren’t melted into tears and feeling all warm and fuzzy or uplifted–but most likely quite offended and irritated! According to Timothy Keller’s book, The Prodigal God, “Jesus’ purpose is not to warm our hearts, but to shatter our categories. Through this parable he revels that both life paths that the sons represent are dead ends.”
Most people when hearing this parable focus on the younger son-the “prodigal”, but that’s not the whole story here- there are 2 sons-they each represent a different way to be alienated from God. Let me pose a question to y’all this morning—Don’t raise your hands-just consider this. Do you recognize your own need for mercy??? In this parable neither son recognized their own need for mercy. Hard to imagine isn’t it?!
Skimming over just a few reminders about the younger son. He asked his father for his share of the estate. It was within his rights- but not a loving thing to do. In that day and time-it would have implied that he wished his father was dead. Instead of rebuking him, the father patiently granted his requests–this is a picture of God letting a sinner go his/her own way. Back in this time it would, in the listeners ears have been expected for the Middle Eastern father to react totally different–most likely driving the son out of the family angrily–so , imagine how it rocked their world hearing that he gave the inheritance patiently! We know what the younger son did with his share and after losing everything returns to his father…prepared to gravel, had his speech all lined up—prepared to fall at his father’s feet and “hope” for forgiveness. But look at how Jesus shocked the listeners with regard to the Father’s reaction….the Father was waiting for the son’s return! He says the Father runs to his son, embraced him and kissed him! The listeners can’t even imagine a Father in those days reacting like this. Much less giving him the best robe, a ring and a feast!!! This all-out, full on expression of the Father’s love and acceptance and mercy!! It was absolutely free–wow!!! What a story for us and them to hear….however, if that was the only message, Jesus wanted to convey—He would have stopped there. He didn’t!
There’s that whole other son-the older brother and he is furious, resentful-etc…He is not even going to go inside …”to” his Father. The Father has to come outside to talk to him. Which in that day would have been totally demeaning, given his status as head of the house and hosting a big celebration. The older son doesn’t even say, “hi Dad” let’s talk about this—but says, “Look”–in today’s terms that would be similar to saying…”hey man, what the heck is going on here” to a well respected Father. It would have been been totally disrespectful and outrageous! But what is portrayed again, in that day may have seemed unsettling, was the Father’s response towards this son….tenderness and mercy! He invites this son back inside to join the celebration- after letting him know He has always loved him and everything he has is his and he gives the son a choice–to come in and celebrate the brother that was “dead” and has come back to life again. Can’t you just imagine sitting there…getting drawn into the story, all interested, irritated maybe and waiting for the juicy ending…and …it stops!!! Why doesn’t he finish and tell us what happened?
Perhaps because this message was for the Pharisees–the “older brothers”. Jesus is pleading with his enemies to respond to His message.
So, do we now focus on the sons and that both their attitudes and actions were wrong and they were using the Father for their own self centered needs—rather than loving, enjoying and serving him for his own sake?
I would like to wrap this up by looking at the Father for a minute. It is evident that the Father’s actions speak louder than his words. He responds to both sons by going “to” them. He wants and desires a relationship with both sons. He has love, forgiveness and mercy for each of his sons—just like Jesus does for each of us. What is so beautifully portrayed here in my opinion, is the picture of the father representing God and what God is like—We see that HE does not give up, lose hope on those who stray. He looks for us and rejoices when He finds the lost–those who have had a change of heart and want to return to Him and the church. Unlike the older son, may we rejoice in that mercy and love! Never take it for granted and show mercy to others as we have received it.
When I looked up this parable in the Catechism of the Catholic Church–the line that jumped off the page at me was—“only the heart of Christ who knows the depths of his Father’s love could reveal to us the abyss of his mercy in so simple and beautiful way”. That pretty much speaks volumes in just a few words!!
I hope we as Daughters of Mary will each day realize our need for mercy from the Lord. May we also, show mercy to all those in our lives as well. I pray we will avoid an “older son” mentality by strengthening our relationship with the Lord and be lights for Him in this world in all we do and all we say. Thank you!!
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Keller,Timothy (2008,November), The Prodigal God. Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith.
Got Questons Ministries. net
Catechism of the Catholic Church
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