A Tale of Mercy and Kindness

A Tale of Mercy and Kindness

Lk 15: 1 – 3, 11 – 32

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Introduction

Today’s reading is about the Prodigal Son. This story must be one of the most well known and beloved stories in the gospel of Luke. While this story may be about the son who squandered his fortunes, it speaks more deeply about the father who had nothing but love and compassion towards his lost son.

The Gospel

            Our reading today is about the prodigal Son. This popular story is told by Jesus as a kind of a reply for the criticism hurled against him regarding his association with tax collectors and sinners who were drawn near to listen to him. The Pharisees and scribes began to complain saying: “ This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

            So Jesus began telling the story about the prodigal son, saying: “ A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father: “ Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country and he found himself in dire need.

Coming to his senses he thought, ‘ How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “ Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” So he got up and went back to his father.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again: he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

Now the older son became angry and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘ Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf. He said to him, “ My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

Reflection

The parable of the prodigal son speaks of three people – the father and his two sons. Firstly, it speaks about the younger son who had the nerve to demand from his father his inheritance even while his father was alive. It shows his sense of entitlement about his right to claim what is intended for him. The story also speaks of his apparent lack of purpose since he aimlessly squanders all his fortunes for the good life.

Moreover, his immaturity is revealed when he finds himself broke; his sudden lack of resources reveal his lack of foresight and preparedness in facing tough times. Then, in an act of desperation, he thinks of going back to his father’s house, knowing full well the shame and the humiliation that he was going to face when he gets home.  

The story of this younger son is also the story of humanity; in fact, it is the story of us all. When Jesus hanged on the cross, he said: “ Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Just like the younger son, we also don’t know what we are doing. We, just like the younger son also wander through life quite aimlessly. And when trouble comes, we find ourselves submerged in all kinds of problems which are of our own making.

There is, however, one redeeming factor in the story of this young man; the redeeming factor is that he thought of going back home to his father. He could have solved his problem in other ways but found the solution by going back to his father. Much of humanity, unfortunately, does not have this instinct of going back to the father. Instead, they look for alternative ways that only lead them to worse situations.

Then there is the story of the father. While the prodigal son may have been the main character of this beautiful story, it is the father who gives this story so much depth and meaning. Here, you have a picture of a kindhearted father who gives in to the demands of an immature son. It seems pretty sure that as the father gave away the younger son’s inheritance, it was his son's departure that broke his heart.

One could imagine the sad gaze of the father as his son left him as he disappeared into the dark horizon. This must have broken his heart. For a time, the father must have thought that the wealth he gave to his son would keep his son well and alive for the journey; but somehow, despite the wealth that the young son brought with him, the father somehow knew that he had already lost his son the moment he stepped out of the house. No amount of wealth will ever provide security to an aimless traveler. 

The speaking lines of the father reveal this to us. For when his son came back, he tells his servants precisely what he knew all along, saying: “ ...this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.” Again, when he meets the older brother outside the house, the father repeats the same thing to him, saying: “ …your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.” The heart of a father knows. He knows quite well where we are headed to the moment we step out of his house. He knows that somehow, life will be cruel to us when we move away from his loving care.

Lastly, there is the older son who had nothing but bitterness over the kindness and mercy of the father. The older son never came to know and appreciate what was already his. The father tells him this: “ My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.” The inclusion of the older brother in the story must have been used by Jesus as a reply to those people who considered themselves righteous; those who chided Jesus for receiving tax collectors and sinners. In the end, their righteousness, like the older son, made them incapable of appreciating God’s love which has been there all along.

This story tells us of the incredible and unbelievable kindness and mercy that God has for us. It speaks of that love that is greater than all the sins we may have committed in our lives. Such a love allows us to have the courage to go back home and the confidence to hope in God’s mercy and kindness at any given time in our life.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for your kindness and mercy. With the story of the prodigal son, you are telling me to have the courage to go back to you whenever I fall. Your kindness and mercies never fail and serve as the light that calls us out of the darkness of our sins. Lead us kindly light amidst the gloom and darkness brought about by our sinfulness. Amen.

“ The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  - Lamentations 3: 22 – 23

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