PHOTO: MARY VAN BALEN OF SILVER GELATIN PRINT BY RAYMOND MEEKS: JOSE’ ESTUARDO SOTZ ALVAREZ, BOSTON MA 1992 FOR AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
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 live again; he was lost and has been found.
LK 15, 31-31
Sometimes when reading Scripture, I am tempted to hurry over or skim passages that are as familiar as this story of the prodigal son. This parable is often used to illustrate God’s willingness to forgive when one is repentant or the importance of conversion of heart. Both, of course, are valid interpretations, but what struck me today was the joy of the father. He didn’t question his son about wisdom he might have acquired as a result of his licentious activity or even his unsavory work for Gentiles. The son may have had a change of heart or a repentant spirit, but in the story, none of that is discussed. The younger son barely managed his rehearsed statement before his father had servants putting sandals on his feet, a ring on his finger, and a robe around his dirty, skinny shoulders.
Once he saw his wayward son approaching, the father broke out in a run uncharacteristic of a refined gentleman of the Orient, so I doubt he wasted much time asking for explanations. As he repeated throughout the story, what had been lost was found; what had been dead had come back to life. Both good reasons to celebrate.
The elder son didn’t share his father’s unreasonable enthusiasm, but the parable leaves us hanging; we don’t know if he went in and joined the party or stayed outside sulking and feeding his attitude.
There is no question that the father was having a wonderful time with friends, servants, and his youngest son.
This joy and immediate forgiveness is echoed in today’s Old Testament reading and the Psalm. The prophet, Micah, lived in a politically dangerous time for the Israelites. It was also a time of corruption among leaders including religious leaders and those with economic power. Micah, like Isaiah and Jeremiah, was concerned with the poor and oppressed. His book begins with dire predictions and lament, contains some promise of hope, and then condemns the leaders and common people who are dishonest and unworthy of trust.
Today’s verses are the last in the book and are thought to be from a liturgical rite. They focus not on the wrong doing, but on God who “delights… in clemency.” This is the Father in Luke’s parable. He is eager to rejoice and party with his son, looking past his sin and seeing only that he has returned.
Psalm 103 praises God who forgives and who loves without measure. “As the heavens tower over the earth, so God’s love towers over the faithful. As far as the east is from the west, so far have our sins been removed from us.”
These words bring joy to my heart, for while I hope I can be as welcoming at the prodigal’s father, I know that if I can, it is because God is more than joyful and welcoming to me.
© 2010 Mary van Balen
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