4th Sunday in Lent + March 14, 2010
Scripture
Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with* the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’ 20So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’* 22But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father* said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
--- Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
The text of this passage is taken from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 by The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the
Commentary
In chapter 15 Jesus tells three parables in response to the Pharisees’ criticism that he welcomes sinners and eats with them. From the Pharisees’ perspective, associating with these people violates the Law, but welcoming sinners forms the heart of Jesus’ ministry.
In this parable, the younger son asks for his share of the property. Normally the division of the property would take place only after his father’s death. To ask for the inheritance ahead of time was considered highly inappropriate and disrespectful, but the father divides his property and gives the son his inheritance. The son abandons his responsibilities to the family, goes off to a foreign country and squanders the proceeds in irresponsible ways. This series of shameful acts reaches its climax when the son, desperate because he is without money, takes a job feeding pigs, which were considered an abomination according to Jewish law.
As he is sitting in the pig pen so hungry that he wishes to eat even the pigs’ food, the younger son “comes to himself.” He realizes that he has made a terrible mistake. He will return to his home and his father. He will acknowledge that he has sinned and he is no longer worthy to be considered a son. He prepares a speech to explain all of this to his father, and he begins his journey home.
The father is overjoyed at the return of the son, who was lost and as much as dead. As soon as he sees the son, the father runs out to welcome him and greets him with open arms. This attitude by the father is unexpected for two reasons. A father would have most likely disowned a son who had behaved in such a disrespectful way. Running around in this manner would also have been considered inappropriate and undignified for a family patriarch. Yet, even before the son finishes his speech of humble apology, the father has already begun to arrange for the celebration.
The older son, who has faithfully worked beside his father at home, resents the special treatment that his father shows at the younger son’s return. As the older son complains about being overlooked and taken for granted, he shows his own lack of respect for his father and places himself in danger of becoming just as lost as his brother has been. He is enraged at his father’s extravagant generosity to the returning “lost” one and refuses to join the celebration. The father again breaks social norms by leaving his guests to go out and reassure his older son and persuade him to join the celebration.
This parable presents a vivid picture of what God’s love is like and of what Jesus took as the model for his ministry of welcome to the outcast and sinners. God’s generosity extends to all, both faithful followers of the Law like the Pharisees and those who find themselves on the margins of society. When repentance results in new life, this calls for celebration, and everyone is invited to the party.
For Reflection
1. How does this parable answer the Pharisees’ objection in verse 2?
2. What do you learn from this passage about sin, repentance, and God’s love?
3. Which role in the story do you fit into most naturally?
4. What do you suppose happens next? How will the younger brother behave? Do the two brothers reconcile?
5. How can we participate in the celebration of God’s love in a way that includes everyone, both those who have returned from being lost and those who have been there all along?
Prayer
Give us the courage, O God, to hear your word and to read our living into it. Give us the gift of openness that, like Jesus, we may welcome all in your love. Amen.
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