The parable of the lost sons in the Gospel tells our own story today—and in each of us, there are these two children.
Judaism taught that God granted his pardon to those who had sincerely repented and expressed their desire to be converted through fasting, penance, torn clothes and prostrations. But the image of God brought to light by Jesus was very different — a God who sets a banquet for those who do not deserve it and invites sinners to his feast, without checking if they are repentant if they are sincerely determined to change their lives. He embraces them without asking them any questions.
What prompted the younger son’s return to the father was not repentance but hunger. He tried to survive even by trying to eat what the pigs ate. He would not have returned if anyone had offered him food to eat. Fear of death brings him back. He is willing to be a servant in his father’s house provided he has food to eat. There is no guarantee that he will stay with his father in the future.
But the father cares the least whether the son is repentant. He embraces him. Through the parable, Jesus reveals the true face of God the Father who loves not only the righteous and repentant sinners; but loves everyone, always and without conditions. The young boy represents many youngsters of our times. They believe that they have no freedom in their own house in the presence of their parents. Many people leave the Church today because the Church has too many rules to follow, and there is no freedom.
The elder brother, too, is a representative of all of us. He follows the commandments of God and the rules of the Church. He attempts to remind the Father: “I have not transgressed any command; I have always served you faithfully….” But he refuses to accept his brother. He complains to his father, “… but when your son returns….” He refuses to admit that “son of his father” is his younger brother! He is the perfect portrait of the scrupulously law-abiding Pharisee, who would say to the Lord in the temple: “I am not like other people, grasping crooked or adulterous. I fast twice a week and give the tenth of all my income” (Luke 18:11-12).
Does he sound familiar? We attend the Sunday Mass without fail, pray the novenas and litanies faithfully, observe the Lent with utmost care. But we refuse to forgive and love that brother or sister who wronged us!
Were all done to obtain some favours from God? Do we get annoyed when people with “lesser” qualifications or “bad reputations” are accepted and recognised in our communities? The eldest son would go in to attend the banquet for ‘his father,’ because he wants to obey all the commands of the father. He would go in with a grumbling heart. Yet the Father patiently awaits the return of his two sons to celebrate life together.
For your reflection
Are we joining the banquet of the Father because we want to fulfill all the rules and regulations of the Church, but with anger and hatred towards our brethren?
Father Josekutty
Mathew CMF
