This is the time of year where we hear the story of the prodigal son. It is a well-known parable, giving us a powerful message. There are family involved, actions of the family, and reactions to actions taken. It was only within the last five years that I looked up the word ‘prodigal’ in the dictionary. All along, I have to admit, I thought the word had meant something along the line of a wandering person, wanting to spread one’s wings. I was surprised to see it meant someone who spent lavishly and extravagantly. I have shared this definition with both the young and old. Many are surprised to find out the true definition, all thinking as I did in terminology. Learning the meaning adds to the dimension of the story.
We have one brother who stays home, doing all of the duties formerly shared by both siblings. He does just what his father asks, obeying him in every sense of the word. In the meantime, we have the other brother who could not care less about helping his father, out having a good time, spending the money, which was to be his after his father passed away.
However, the money runs out and suddenly it is not fun anymore. The only path to take now is the one that will take him home. He likely does a great deal of thinking during his journey, being ashamed for his actions. He has hurt his father, made his brother do all the tremendous work involved in keeping a property in good shape, and spent money that actually was not rightfully his until after the death of his dad. Oh, how his head must be hanging low!
To top it off, the father can only stare out at the vast land, hoping that someday his son will return. He cannot help the other son work the land, as he is too forlorn at the loss of his child, wondering if he will ever come back home. Granted, he did give the inheritance to him early. Maybe he thought he would spend the money wisely, making him proud, trusting him to do so.
Alas! He is there in the horizon, only a tiny figure, slowly walking, almost home to make amends with his father and brother. “Dad” gets excited, telling his staff to get ready for a big celebration for this lost soul. Wait a minute! What about the son at home, serving him all this time? As one student said to me, “What a rip off!”
After prayer and conversing with God, I began to understand more fully what was going on here. While one son did all the motions of being a good son, never pausing to question all of his assigned duties in honoring his father, the other son returned going through the Emotions to care rightfully for his parent. He was willing to become a servant, if that is what it would take.
His father was ready to forgive, wanting him to wear the shoes and robe of a family member, not be barefooted as the servants were. He was welcomed back into the family, forgiven for his past actions.
One message here is that all of us need to take a step back and think if we are going through just the motions when we are there for another, or are we putting our emotions into what we do, nourishing our actions with love and care. What a difference it can make! The recipient can feel the love, rather than feeling only a void, duties taking on mechanical movements.
Another message also comes forth, that of forgiving instead of holding a grudge. No matter how awful another has been, we need to let go of the anger the loved one has caused us. This is what God wants us to do, accepting the apology on one another. Someday, we may be the ones asking for forgiveness. Imagine your remorse, yet the other party only continuing to turn his back on you.
God would never turn His back on any of us, nor should we do so to others. No matter how bad it is, God will forgive. He does want us to repent. He knows when we are sorry. His love will grow stronger within one. There is a lightness upon the shoulders as forgiveness is given and accepted. In its place is character, wisdom, love and a new strength within our spiritual souls to live our lives in the image of God.
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