MARCH22024

It does, perhaps, skew the interpretation that the most famous of the parables of Jesus is called The Prodigal Son. After all, the parable begins “a man had two sons.” By focusing solely on the younger, prodigal, son one comes to understand the almost unimaginable dept of God’s mercy. The father extended forgiveness and acceptance even to one who was not worthy of it. Mercy is not receiving what we deserve. However, the older son reminds believers that we are also given what we do not deserve — which we call grace. Two sons, grace and mercy. Notice that the father cuts off the younger sons little prepared speech before he can say, “treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”‘ He already has a son who feels like a hired hand, earning his own way. He doesn’t need another. The older son needs to learn that his hard work does not produce the father’s love. Rather, the father loves him first, “all that I have is yours,” and anything he does is a response to that love. During Lent let’s rely on both God’s grace and mercy.