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Greetings, Everyone!
As I was reflecting on The Parable of the Prodigal Son, the thought came to me that the reason so many of today's youth and their parents have "walked" from organized religion is on account of the "Righteous Son Syndrome." I have not conducted any surveys or read any literature on this topic, but I have a hunch that many faithful churchgoers and their leaders unwittingly communicate that they are the "chosen ones"-- those who rightfully belong to "the fold" because they show up, supporting their parishes in myriad ways while having received the necessary religious education and formation. While such commitment is foundational to a thriving parish, it may deter "outsiders" from stepping over the threshold. Those who stopped practicing their faith or who grew up in an areligious household may fear rejection; those whose life choices don't always conform to church teachings may fear being judged; and those who think differently, dress differently or stand out for other differences may fear they will be misunderstood.
The older brother in The Parable of the Prodigal Son believes he has earned his father's love through obedience and service.
Far from comprehending his father's infinite love, he sees himself as "deserving" and his younger brother as "undeserving"; in fact, for him, his younger brother is as good as dead. From the parable, it is unclear whether the older son ever has a change of heart; what we do know, however, is that the father in the story (AKA God) does not endorse his perspective. The challenge for faith communities, then, is to suspend judgement, appreciate differences and find ways of welcoming those who are seeking a spiritual home.
Lenten Blessings,
Elizabeth
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SCRIPTURE REFLECTION
Link to Sunday Readings
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and, filled with compassion,
ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father told his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come
to life again; was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Luke 15:20-24
Like a well-structured short story, the plot of The Parable of the Prodigal Son begins with the "Build" (the younger son demands his share of the inheritance); moves to the "Crisis" (the younger son squanders his money on dissipation); and then progresses to the denouement (the younger son heads home where his father reinstates him as a beloved family member). The section regarding the older brother serves as an Afterword of sorts, inviting readers --or listeners-- to examine their reactions to the narrative and to assess whether they are on the right side or wrong side of mercy and compassion.
As the omniscient narrator, Jesus provides plenty of details, some of which have cultural significance. By asking for his share of the inheritance, for example, the youngest son is basically saying to his father, "I can't wait for you to die!" By squandering his money and leading a life of dissipation, he then brings shame not only upon himself but also upon his lineage; in effect, he trashes the family name. And then, when famine strikes, this wayward son hires himself out to tend swine, thus polluting himself by association with what Jewish Law deemed "unclean" animals; more shocking still, he is so hungry that he would eat the pigs' swill, if only he could snatch the leftovers! That's when hunger brings him to his senses. Remembering his father's kindness, he rehearses the speech that he hopes will earn him a place as a servant.
The shocker for Jesus' audience is that the father still longs for his son to return and may even have fattened the calf in anticipation of their reunion. From the story, one gets the sense that he has been keeping watch for his son's return, for he catches sight of him from a distance. Then, more shocking still, he runs towards his son and embraces him, actions Jesus' audience would have considered both foolish and undignified; the father is now ritually "unclean" because of his physical contact with an apostate. If this is not enough to cause scandal, the father lavishes gifts on the "ne'er-do-well"-- the ring, robe, and sandals, all signs of full reinstatement to the family. Far from being treated as a servant, the younger son is robed in honor, and the celebration begins.
Just as the older brother is infuriated by the royal welcome his younger brother receives, so many in the crowd would also have been disturbed. The story challenges assumptions about what is fair and unfair, triggering outrage regarding the younger son's behavior, societal expectations, and inheritance rights. But the older brother's inability to rejoice also mirrors how many contemporary readers/ listeners might feel. Instead of focusing on the father's unconditional love, forgiveness, and mercy, there are those who would wish he were more rational, less impulsive, and more appreciative of his oldest son. Unphased by The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk 15:1-7), they cannot imagine why there would be more rejoicing in heaven "over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance." Indifferent to The Parable of the Lost Coin, they cannot begin to imagine why a woman with nine coins would search so diligently for the missing tenth coin (Lk 15: 8-10). The Afterword, then, is not just about the older son, but about a spiritually bankrupt mindset -- one that is so incapable of understanding the fathomlessness of Divine Love that it wants to re-create God in its own stunted likeness. This is the same limited mindset that regards the poor as "undeserving" and sees society's "misfits" as disposable; it is the same mindset that feels entitled to the world's resources, regarding wealth, health, and status as evidence of God's favor rather than as an obligation to serve the suffering world....
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