What we ordinarily call the Parable of the Prodigal Son is mis-named. Jesus tells us the proper name: “A man had two sons.” The focus of the parable is on the father and how the father acted, not upon the prodigal or the other son. The boys themselves simply did not get their father. The younger thought that the father should punish him for messing up. The older thought the father should reward him for working hard. What they missed was that the father was all about love. Because he loved the prodigal what else could he do but welcome him back. Becasue he loved the older son there was no question of giving him this much reward for this much work — he was giving it all. “Everything I have is yours.” The one who was prodigal was the father — freely, even recklessly, showering love upon his sons.
