RBWords

     The scribes and Pharisees got it right for once.  Jesus does welcome sinners and eats with them.  This is what Pope Francis is getting at when he describes the church as a "field hospital for the sick and wounded."  This is what the father does in the parable that forms the gospel scripture today - the story of the "Prodigal Son."  The traditional title is misleading, however.  It is more a story of a loving father and TWO prodigal sons.  

     The request of the younger son for his share of the estate was the equivalent in Jesus' time of saying to the father, "I wish you were already dead!'  In essence, the younger son declared himself "dead" to the father, as we learn at the end of the story. That created a very definite departure!  The older son may have thought, "Good riddance!"  It should be noted that the older son also got his own share, and would get more, as the father indicates at the end of the story.  The return of the younger son and the lavish welcome by a merciful father would be a very unwelcome event to the older son.

     A very important detail can escape us.  The father "goes out" to both sons, the returning one from wherever, and the one returning from the fields.  Neither of the sons has to earn a welcome.  That welcome comes from the love of the father for both sons.  The resentment of the older son may find an echo in us who think that the younger one should be turned away.  "He made his bed.  Let him sleep in it!"  The younger one has realized his situation and is willing to take whatever is offered.  The older son is unaware of the deep-seated resentment he has nourished.  Maybe he wished he could have done what the younger one did?

     In the midst of this emotional story is the loving mercy of the father who invites all of us - wild younger one (perhaps us when young) and dutiful one (perhaps us later on) - to the table of mercy.  Whether we realize it or not, we are in need of that mercy and should take a seat at that table.  AMEN