Posted: 3/10/2010 5:59:20 PM EDT
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
Readings and Commentary  First Reading: Joshua 5:9a,10-12 9a. And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I have taken away from you the disgrace of Egypt.” 10. And the sons of Israel stayed at Gilgal, and they kept the Passover, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the plains of Jericho. 11. And on the following day, they ate unleavened bread from the grain of the land, and cooked grain, of the same year. 12. And the manna ceased after they ate from the grain of the land. And the sons of Israel no longer made use of that food. Instead, they ate from the grain of the present year, from the land of Canaan. Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 17. So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new. 18. But all is of God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19. For certainly God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, not charging them with their sins. And he has placed in us the Word of reconciliation. 20. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, so that God is exhorting through us. We beseech you for Christ: be reconciled to God. 21. For God made him who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the justice of God in him. Gospel: Luke 15:1-3,11-32 1. Now tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him, so that they might listen to him. 2. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This one accepts sinners and eats with them.” 3. And he told this parable to them, saying: 11. “A certain man had two sons. 12. And the younger of them said to the father, ‘Father, give me the portion of your estate which would go to me.’ And he divided the estate between them. 13. And after not many days, the younger son, gathering it all together, set out on a long journey to a distant region. And there, he dissipated his substance, living in luxury. 14. And after he had consumed it all, a great famine occurred in that region, and he began to be in need. 15. And he went and attached himself to one of the citizens of that region. And he sent him to his farm, in order to feed the swine. 16. And he wanted to fill his belly with the scraps that the swine ate. But no one would give it to him. 17. And returning to his senses, he said: ‘How many hired hands in my father’s house have abundant bread, while I perish here in famine! 18. I shall rise up and go to my father, and I will say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19. I am not worthy to be called your son. Make me one of your hired hands.’ 20. And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21. And the son said to him: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. Now I am not worthy to be called your son.’ 22. But the father said to his servants: ‘Quickly! Bring out the best robe, and clothe him with it. And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. 23. And bring the fatted calf here, and kill it. And let us eat and hold a feast. 24. For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to feast. 25. But his elder son was in the field. And when he returned and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26. And he called one of the servants, and he questioned him as to what these things meant. 27. And he said to him: ‘Your brother has returned, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safely.’ 28. Then he became indignant, and he was unwilling to enter. Therefore, his father, going out, began to plead with him. 29. And in response, he said to his father: ‘Behold, I have been serving you for so many years. And I have never transgressed your commandment. And yet, you have never given me even a young goat, so that I might feast with my friends. 30. Yet after this son of yours returned, who has devoured his substance with loose women, you have killed the fatted calf for him.’ 31. But he said to him: ‘Son, you are with me always, and all that I have is yours. 32. But it was necessary to feast and to rejoice. For this brother of yours was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.’ ” Study Resources and CCC References Overview of the Gospel: * Today’s Gospel, the parable of the prodigal son, is one of three parables (see verses 4-10) that Jesus addresses to the Pharisees who challenged him for associating with “tax collectors and sinners” who flocked to hear Jesus’ words (verses 1-2). * The Pharisees were a religious party of Jesus’ day who prided themselves on strictly keeping to the prescriptions of the Jewish purity laws. Many of them were undoubtedly holy men, and they were generally respected by the people for their holiness and their refusal to cooperate with the occupying Romans. Some Pharisees, however, became legalistic and judgmental in their attitude toward those who did not meet their standards. These set themselves up in opposition to Jesus and his followers. They may also have been jealous when the despised tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus and his gospel of mercy. * This Sunday’s parable can more accurately called the parable of the forgiving father, since he is can be seen as the main figure in the story. Just as God the Father is always ready to let us exercise our free will and go our own ways, in his mercy and compassion he is more than ready to be on the lookout for the least sign of our returning in repentance to him, and welcoming us home. As Jesus teaches earlier in this chapter, “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7,11). Questions: * What stages does the younger son go through on his pilgrimage (verses 13-16)? What brings him to his senses? What does he realize then? With what sort of attitude does he approach his father? How does the father receive his son? Why? * How does the older brother feel about the younger brother’s return? Why? How does the father answer the older brother’s objections (verse 29)? * What’s Jesus’ point with this parable? What does this story teach about sin, repentance and God’s love? What does the First Reading tell us about God’s care for us and his solicitude to carry us through trials and temptations to the end? * Comparing yourself to the two brothers in this parable, who are you most like? Why? How have you experienced God as similar to this father? * Consider verse 31: What does God have to give you that you have not taken? |
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* What stages does the younger son go through on his pilgrimage (verses 13-16)? What brings him to his senses? What does he realize then? With what sort of attitude does he approach his father? How does the father receive his son? Why? The younger son goes to a far away country (far away from God) and squanders his inheritance through sin (squanders God’s Grace). Once he’s broke the famine comes and reveals the emptiness of his sinful pleasures (he experiences spiritual agony from the barren state of being away from God’s grace). He becomes so desperate that he wants to eat the pigs’ scraps, he has completely hit rock bottom. (God seems to have a way of doing that, putting us in positions where our only option is Him.) This brings him to his senses and in verse 18 he realizes that even being a lowly servant of his father would be bliss compared to his current situation. He approaches his father with genuine shame and humility begging for mercy, but his father receives him with much joy and highest honors! Not only has his son just returned in body, but he has learned the error of his ways and has grown in spirit. * How does the older brother feel about the younger brother’s return? Why? How does the father answer the older brother’s objections (verse 29)? The older brother is understandably resentful when his whole life he has done what is right and his troubled younger brother receives more praise for screwing up. The father explains that the younger brother was dead but is not alive again. Perhaps such a miraculous resurrection (repentance) is more pleasing to God than a steady state of mediocre faithfulness. * What’s Jesus’ point with this parable? What does this story teach about sin, repentance and God’s love? This parable helps us to understand repentance. God is always ready and willing to welcome us back with open arms as a full member of His church. What does the First Reading tell us about God’s care for us and his solicitude to carry us through trials and temptations to the end? God will provide us what we need always. The manna only lasted until they could come up with a supply of normal food. Reminds me of: Proverbs 3:5-6 (New King James Version) 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct[a] your paths. * Comparing yourself to the two brothers in this parable, who are you most like? Why? How have you experienced God as similar to this father? The prodigal son of course! These past few years I have been away from God, squandering his graces. I fancied my analytical self wiser than his teaching, scoffing at these “weak-minded, superstitious, religious fools.” I tried to fill the void by finding happiness in worldly pleasures but it never lasts, what a dark, hollow existence.  Since returning to Him, life has a different flavor. I’m not sure the fattened calf has been slaughtered yet but I’m getting there. 
* Consider verse 31: What does God have to give you that you have not taken? Hmmm, now that’s something to think about… |
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This is a very interesting parable. It is very common to view this parable the same way year after year. We tend to identify with the youngest son and we are comforted by the promise of forgiveness. Just for a twist, and a fresh perspective, we can look at this from the standpoint of the oldest son and we just might discover something about ourselves that we need to address. So with that in mind,
Your younger brother goes to Dad and says "give me my inheritance" which can be translated into "Dad, I wish you were dead." The thing is, he is the younger of the two sons, so in actuality, he shouldn't inherit anything anyway. Jewish law says the elder son inherits everything, so it should be ours! That little twerp just wished we were dead as well. So now our little brat of a brother goes off and squanders the inheritance given him which he didn't "deserve" and he realizes that he's a screw-up. So he rehearses what he thinks he needs to say in order to get back in Daddy's good graces. He comes back to Dad, and says pretty much exactly what he rehearsed. (This did not include an actual apology by the way. We generally just infer one) The Father forgives our little brother and calls for a banquet to be set before him. Now we, seeing that we have been loyal and devoted to our father and we have never been treated so lavishly, become jealous and resentful. We can not fathom how Dad could be so gullible to not only allow this snot nosed little brother of ours to come back home, but to throw a party for him to boot! The disappointment and anger we are feeling is immense. What do we do? Walk off and sulk? Or do we join in the banquet? I think what we are seeing from this parable is an attempt to tell us that the Father's love is so immense it is beyond our capability to understand. His mercy, compassion, forgiveness, are all unfathomable to the finite capabilities of our minds. So what will we do when we discover He works through others, which we may deem undeserving, to help bring about their salvation as well. Will we be joyous that our lost brothers in Christ are home? Or will we be resentful and somehow feel cheated. You notice the scripture leaves that unanswered and this is why I think we are intended to be the older brother in the story. It is up to us to finish it as Christ would. God Bless. |
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* Comparing yourself to the two brothers in this parable, who are you most like? Why? How have you experienced God as similar to this father?
The prodical son would better fit me than the other son, but I have not completely abandoned my faith, and I hope I never will. But I do struggle at times and do fall out of the state of grace, and I run to the confessional and hear those most beautiful words, "I absolve you from your sins." * Consider verse 31: What does God have to give you that you have not taken? There are so many things that I know that I could have spiritually that I have not received because of my lack of faith and humility. I have been reading St. Pope Gregory the Great's Dialogues, and they are revealing to me that God rewards the humble with miraculous things. I know God can work some dynamic things through all of us if we get ourselves out of the way. I really believe that we can see those Early Church miracles in our lives if we practice virtue and only focus on what God sees and not what people see. |
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Wow! Here we are half way through Lent 2010, Sisters and Brothers!
Great comments and Bible study by you all this week; thank you for sharing your ministry. This is one of Jesus' most striking parables in the Gospel. * How does the older brother feel about the younger brother’s return? Why? How does the father answer the older brother’s objections (verse 29)? Let's look at the son with "seniority," with standing and privilege according to Jewish law. Look where the older son first is seen: out in the field, working. We know the father is extremely well-off since he had many servants, yet the older son is "working" in the fileds. Isn't this something the servants can do? "C,mon, son––just be with me! Let the workers do that!" is something I can imagine the father mentioning. Why wasn't the eldest with his father, tending to his needs, loving him, and not just plain working in dirt? Relationships trump physical work; they are our safety net. Then, one of Dad's servants tell the older son what's going on. See what the "older" and "entitled" son actually says: he uses the verb: "serve." He says "I served you all these years." Notice he does not say: "I loved you all these years, I cared about you a lot, I truly valued our relationship." Nope. Sonny boy is pretty ticked that all this physical "work" got him little in his eyes. Notice he said nothing of love, feelings, concern, compassion. Humm...not much LOVE there, is there? Entitled son figures: "...as long as I 'do my job, go through the motions, I'll get mine because I'm entitled to it: it's THE LAW." Plus, he says he's "complied with THE LAW." Pretty mechanical, rigid and cold, no? Not too caring or feeling. Jesus came not to abolish the law, but to fulfill it completely. Wow! Mirror time for me. Am I just "going through the motions" in my own walk with God? Surely hope not! So what do I see here: simple. In my journey of faith, I had better strive to become more "human" like the loving father. Put aside the physical stuff. I have got to make sure my loving relationship is established and continues with my heavenly Father. Only way to do this is through his Son: our Lord and Saviour. He said so: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." God can never lie. He cannot deceive nor be deceived. What He says goes. Jesus is the only true "human" being we have as an example; he is perfect in every way. So, when I trip and fall and mess up, I really can't say to myself: "...I'm only human.." because I am not. I am sinful. I have to keep Jesus as my target––my exemplar. All others fall short because of sin––me first and foremost. As Jesus has told us: "if you see me, you see He who sent me." And I'll keep trying to keep that verb "love" first and foremost in mind and in my relationships... 
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WOW! I am so impressed with all the wonderful responses, Brothers! I guess everyone loves this parable as much as I do! I only have a few things to add....
I think that we can benefit by looking carefully at both sons. Many of us will probably see that we are more like each son at different times in our faith journeys. The younger son is meant to represent the sinners. I can relate to that son for the 15 years I was away from the Church, basically telling God that I did not want or need him in my life.  The older son = the scribes and the Pharisees. Neither one of the sons, as has been pointed out, has a right relationship with the father. Since coming back to the Lord, I feel those self-righteous tendencies coming out once in a while. 
Look at the gifts the father gives the son when he comes back - the best robe, shoes a ring, the fatted calf. But, the father also gave the son gifts when he left. What is the difference between what he was given before leaving and those he received upon his return? The relationship and presence of the father, of course. The gifts God gives us mean nothing without right relationship with the Father. Fr. Barron likes to say that the gifts God gives us are in "gift form" - they are meant to be given away to others. And when we do that, God gives us even more abundantly. But when we are away from the Father, those gifts just go away and we are empty. Also, I like verse 20: "And rising up, he went to his father. But while he was still at a distance, his father saw him, and he was moved with compassion, and running to him, he fell upon his neck and kissed him." The father saw the son. The father wasn't just sitting home waiting for the son to come back someday, he was watching for the son, anticipating his return. Then the father didn't just wait for the son to get there (to then scold him for being such an idiot) he ran to meet him. Middle eastern men of that status did not run. Children and slaves ran, not rich men. What an image, brothers! Sr. Ann Shields of Renewal Ministries did a great reflection this week on her radio show Food for the Journey. Listen here. |