FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT

From 2019:

In 1986, Henri Nouwen, a Dutch Catholic theologian, gifted psychologist and inspiring author, toured St. Petersburg, Russia, the former Leningrad. While there, he visited the famous Hermitage Museum. Fr. Nouwen was captivated by Rembrandt’s painting of the Prodigal Son, a large eight feet by six feet masterpiece. It inspired him so much that he wrote one of his most famous books, The Return of the Prodigal Son. This book is one of my most favorite works on spirituality.  I highly recommend it.

In this week’s gospel, we hear this well-known and beloved story about the Prodigal Son. I prefer to call the story simply, “The Prodigals,” as I consider the father as a “prodigal” father and both sons to be “prodigal.”

It is important to understand that the word “prodigal” means “extravagant or excessive.” The father is excessive (or prodigal) in his forgiveness and love for both sons. The younger son is excessive (or prodigal) in his reckless, selfish lifestyle and extravagant (or prodigal) in his seeking his father’s forgiveness. The older son is excessive (or prodigal) in his bitterness, anger and jealousy towards his father and younger brother.

Whether you see yourself as the younger or older child, hopefully, you all envision yourself as the forgiving and welcoming parent.

This parable, told by Jesus, is so familiar that we may have missed just exactly to whom Jesus is addressing the story. Do you remember? It is important to understand that Jesus is telling this story to the Scribes and Pharisees who were complaining that Jesus welcomes sinners and even eats with them. Jesus is hopeful the Scribes and Pharisees will see themselves in this parable.

Notice that Jesus never gives up on the Scribes and Pharisees. He hopes that they will see that the Father always forgives.

Let’s look at how extravagant the young son is in his selfishness and his repentance. Would you consider him to be impetuous, arrogant, a spendthrift, greedy and self-indulgent? Why?

He demanded his share of the inheritance before the father died. This is tantamount to wishing that his father was dead: “Give me the share of my estate now.” Normally, in biblical times, one didn’t receive an inheritance until a parent died. When the son did manage to get his inheritance, he traveled to a distant land where no one would know him and squandered the money on a life of self-indulgence. He spent all his money and he was forced to work in order to survive.

And look where this Jewish young man goes to work: on a pig farm. A Jewish man, raised with the Mosaic Law, was prohibited from eating or touching pigs.   

Jesus purposely described this sinful young man in such a way that his listeners, the Scribes and Pharisees, would be certain to conclude that the young man was beyond forgiveness. The listeners would conclude his sins were unforgivable.   

Then Jesus tells the rest of the story, which continues to be even more confusing to the Scribes and Pharisees. The young man, instead of wallowing in despair or giving up totally, “comes to his senses” and decides to return home, admit his guilt and take responsibility for his sinful behavior. He decides to ask for forgiveness. He even prepares an apology. 

It is rather unusual and refreshing in our time to hear of anyone taking responsibility. Today, it seems like everybody has an excuse. Politicians, athletes and celebrities all hire agents, lawyers, or public relations experts to put a spin on things and make excuses for irresponsible behavior. Taking responsibility seems to be the last resort for these folks even when they run out of excuses. By contrast, the younger son takes responsibility, admits his sinfulness, and asks for forgiveness. He is a prodigal son because he is excessive in his humility and remorsefulness.

The father is excessive in his forgiveness and love. When the young son is walking toward the house and is still a long way off, Jesus makes a point of saying:

“His father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion.” The Scribes and Pharisees aren’t going to like this. They must have asked themselves, “Why would the father waste time looking far down the road for his worthless son?” Worse yet, “Why the father would be filled with compassion?” 

And then Jesus says, “The father ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”

The scene is easy to imagine, like a parent welcoming their son or daughter back from college, or from a tour of duty in the military, or a long overseas trip. Before the young son could even share his prepared apology, the father orders a huge celebration. He dresses his son in designer clothes, gives him an expensive ring and fancy shoes, and has a scrumptious meal prepared, including a just-slaughtered fattened calf.

I recall sharing this story with a group of inmates when I worked in the prison system, and I asked them, “Who do you think was really sad that the younger son came home?” One inmate quickly responded, “The fattened calf.” 

Jesus then tells us about the extravagance of the older brother. The older son is extravagant in his obedience to his father. He is dutiful, law-abiding and a hard worker.

But while the father is so happy that the younger son has returned, the shadow side of the elder brother erupts. The elder brother knows his younger brother is a selfish brat. 

He is resentful, bitter, jealous, hurt and angry. He is the one who stayed home and slaved for his father. He can’t even bring himself to acknowledge his brother with a name instead saying, “…when your son returns…” He stands outside, refusing to join the celebration. The father pleads with him to come in. Curiously, we are not told whether the elder son went in or not. We are left to wonder what happened to him. But we know that the father loves the elder son as much as the younger son.

It is relatively easy to see ourselves as the younger or elder son. On this Fourth week of Lent, you and I can see ourselves in both of the sons who need the love of the Prodigal Father. You and I are sinners who are welcomed to return to the Compassionate Father.     

Surely, this parable could be called the Parable of a Parent’s Love.

While the son left with pride and money, he returns with nothing. His money, health, reputation and self-respect are all gone, squandered away. In the painting, Rembrandt leaves little doubt about the younger son’s condition, he has even lost his hair. His clothes are ragged undergarments that cover his emaciated body. The left foot has slipped out of a worn-out sandal showing injuries and scars.

So, where are we in this parable? Both the younger and older sons can reveal good and bad things about us. The selfishness of the younger and the bitter resentment of the older can lie within each of us. We are a bit of both of them; however, we are called to be the Compassionate Parent in all aspects of our lives.  

We are called to forgive. For the Fourth Week of Lent, the suggestion is to Recycle. Recycle by repeating acts of forgiveness and renewing old friendships to show your care for people and, of course, always choose to recycle to show care for creation.

We Care for God’s People; We Care for God’s Creation.