It is curious that the story Jesus told in Luke 15 is commonly called “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” “A man had two sons.” It couldn’t be more obvious that the parable is about both sons, not simply the younger. Perhaps the Church has chosen to emphasize the younger, “prodigal” son over the ages because it kind of gives good, church-going people a pass. It makes us think that only the sinners are in need of God’s grace and mercy. The parable as Jesus told it emphasizes that both boys need the father’s compassion and forgiveness. We are tempted to be self-sufficient, to imagine ourselves as more worthy than the others. The parable says we all need to throw ourselves into the arms of God.
MARCH62021
By Church Staff
