There's been a conflict. A relational breakdown. An offense given. And an offense taken.

So, who are we this time? Prodigal? Father? Or Elder Brother?

Ouch!!!

The Parable of the Prodigal Son (The Gospel of Luke 15:11-31) is a comforting tale for those of us who have fallen away from our faith at one time or another. The story demonstrates the heart of the heavenly Father for redemption, at any price. The only catch, the only requirement: the prodigal has to want it. The prodigal has to humble himself (or herself), openly confess the sin, and ask for reconciliation, prepared to accept whatever consequences are appropriate.

When I am a prodigal, I am so grateful for the Father’s response--he not only welcomes the prodigal home, but restores his place in the home (with a ring and a coat), then throws a party! And I find the older brother’s stance (cold, distant, unwilling to join the party) so…stinging…so judgmental and unforgiving. Sooooo wrong!

When I am NOT the prodigal, I find it is easier to be like the Father when I haven’t been hurt directly by the prodigal’s offense. I can smile and embrace and join in the celebration. And be grateful.

But when the prodigal steals some of “my” reward or some of what I “deserve,” well, ha-ha-ha, I feel quite justified in reminding the Father of what is right and what is, well, just not!

And oops—I am the elder brother.

The first time I was introduced to the notion that I have a choice as to which role to play in the story was when I read Henri Nouwen’s book, The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of a Homecoming, in which Nouwen contemplates Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son, one of his last works. http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/0385473079/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

It is a powerful response to a powerful representation of Christ's story of hope and redemption, juxtaposing the unbelievable compassion of the character symbolizing the Divine with the remarkable lack of compassion of the unforgiving brother, who represents human nature all too well.

As we move through the hurts and disappointments that we all experience along life’s way, as God opens our eyes to the other wounded and hurting around us, may we have the heart of the Father to reach out and embrace that one who may have failed, but wants to be clean.