The Other Son
theophilus February 23rd, 2008
Today’s gospel is the story of the prodigal son. We all know the moral of the story – no matter what we have done in our life, no matter how bad, we can always return to our Father in heaven and he will take us back. In this season of Lent, these are the most comforting words we can hear – that no matter how far away from home we may feel, we can always go home.
But have we ever thought about the other son – the one who stayed home? We give so much attention to repentence that sometimes we forget that many are doing it relatively right. There are those among us who are leading good lives – following Christ’s path. How do they feel when they look at the rest of us? We’re the one’s screwing up all of the time, yet we receive most of the attention. Most teachings are directed at us in an attempt to get us on the straight and narrow.
There are those in my life who I look at with admiration and awe. They always seem to do and say the right things. I don’t see vices in them. They never seem to take the easy road. I know they aren’t perfect – none of us are – but they still seem to have it together, whereas the rest of us can’t get our acts straight.
Someday, I hope to be able to say I’m the son who stayed home. For now, I’m just the poor sap of a son who is pining for home while wallowing in the pig slop trying to chase down the sow slipping out of my grasp.
But unlike the prodigal son, I know that my Father in heaven knows where I am, is waiting for me to come home, and is lighting the path for me to follow. It’s just up to me to get on the road.
Image: “The Prodigal Son Tending the Swine” – (Hans) Sebald Beham (1500-1550)
