The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one that I’ve known since childhood but until I was asked to write on it, I don’t think I’ve ever thought much about how I felt about the story and what meaning it may have in my life.
For me, the easiest person to understand in this story is the father. Who wouldn’t forgive their children and welcome them home? Now, I realize that it was much more complicated in those days because of the societal norms they were encouraged to follow. In my lifetime I have known four generations in my family so far and I cannot think of a single person that would not welcome a child home, no matter the circumstance.
Sibling rivalry is something most people are familiar with if they come from a family with more than one child. It seems like a normal thing that happens these days but it must have held much more importance in biblical days. Because the older son was self-protective of his future, he seemed unable to forgive the sinner and even the forgiver.
There are times when I really relate to the younger son. His lust for independence had led him away from God and the laid-out plan for his life. He had to make his own choices and his own mistakes to realize that the life he sought was not God’s plan for him. It was then that he felt so grateful that he was welcomed home and I like to think that he went on to live a meaningful life.
If you were to ask me, I would say that I can forgive very easily, however recently I had a test of my ability to forgive and I must say, I’m having a hard time. Because I realized I haven’t truly forgiven this person, I am now having a difficult time forgiving myself. Forgiveness takes a lot of strength and acceptance and welcoming home takes a lot of love, but it will always be the right thing to do.
Prayer: Loving God, help us to remember that our greatest challenge is to forgive and our greatest strength is to love. May it become a way of life for each of us. Amen
Dianne Mahler