Description
Today is the 4th Sunday of Lent, the season of repentance. Our readings help us to engage in the extravagant joy as God’s grace is proclaimed in the story of the Prodigal Son/Father.
The Bible reading from Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 is introduced with a description of Jesus’ audience. On this occasion two groups are present with him. One group gathered round Jesus eager to hear his message were the tax collectors and sinners, representing the ‘outsiders’ in Jewish religion and culture. The second group were the Scribes and Pharisees, representing the ‘insiders’. They were grumbling amongst themselves asking why Jesus would mix with the outsiders. Verse 3 tells us that ‘Jesus told them this parable’. In the 1st century church, Luke’s own community probably reflected such division between insiders and outsiders. Jewish and Gentile Christians sometimes disagreed and had an uneasy relationship. The probability that ‘them’ was inclusive of both groups reflects the theme of acceptance in this parable.
However, it is the parable itself that shows the extent of God’s acceptance. The word ‘prodigal’ means ‘wasteful extravagance’ or ‘lavish’, perhaps a term we would associate with the father in the story more than the son. This story would have caught the attention of those listening because of the parent who is willing to risk wealth and reputation to let a child leave the family with their inheritance, and then who extends forgiveness when everything is spent, and the child returns home. According to Jewish customs of the time, the younger of two sons would receive one third of the estate at the time of the father’s death. In handing over the youngest son’s inheritance, the father allows himself to be killed figuratively. The younger son takes the fortune and leaves home as if the father was dead.
And if that was not enough for Jesus’ listeners, the image of the father running to meet his son when he returns would have been even more shocking. Men of wealth and position never ran in public and certainly never ran to someone who held a less honourable position. And then Jesus adds to the story’s lavish image of love and acceptance through the killing of the fatted calf – something which occurred when there was a wedding or if dignitaries we’re visiting, as both would be opportunities to demonstrate prestige in the community. The father forgoes any honour or community acclaim to welcome the ‘lost” son home.
In this wonderful story, Jesus speaks of God’s extravagant love for sinners, Scribes, Pharisees, and those who are lost. How can we doubt God’s great love for us!
