Old Testament: Micah 7:14–15,18–20
Gospel: Luke 15:11–32
Psalm 103:1–4(5–8)9–12
“The Parable of the Prodigal Son” from Luke 15:11-32
The Gospel reading for today is the famous parable of the prodigal son. It’s a story that teaches us about God’s love for us and God’s willingness to forgive us no matter what we have done. The word “prodigal” is mysterious to us, its basic meaning is “wasteful.”
Jesus tells the situation of a father who has two sons, the younger of whom can’t wait for his inheritance. He asks his father to give him his share now. Despite the unreasonable request, the father grants it. The younger son then leaves his family and quickly squanders all that he was given.
When the prodigal decides to return home he does so with the expectation that he will be treated as a servant. However, the father accepts the prodigal back into the fold and throws a party to welcome him home. The older son is understandably upset. He didn’t demand his inheritance and stayed faithful to his father and now he is angry and refuses to go inside and join the party. His father hears about it and comes to talk to him and we discover that he’s not just angry with his brother, he’s angry with his father, too. The father reassures his oldest son that the current celebration does not represent a threat to the older brother or his inheritance. Instead, it is a celebration of joy because of the return of the younger son.
From this parable we can draw a number of spiritual lessons: We can be a genuine “son” of the Father and be we can be lost through sin. We can turn our backs on our heavenly Father and leave him of our own free will. We can return to the Father and be accepted by him with great joy: he is ready and eager to accept us back and forgive us, no matter what we’ve done. Christians who have never fallen should not resent those who come back, but share in their Father’s joy. Their own place is secure and their heavenly reward is not threatened. God loves them just as much as he loves those who come back.
John Vintson
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