:: Prodigal Sons ::

Reflecting on the prodigal son's story, inspired by Adam's blog "Here Comes Your Man"... (Thanks to Len for pointing it out...)

You can feel the power of the quote "...Meanwhile, the older son was in the field..." Of course, I get from this: "go and do the work of the kingdom." Could it be saying that being busy doing the works doesn't keep a heart from hardening?

The father comes to the elder's rescue: "Your inheritance is still all here, but I had lost half of mine, and now he's back! Wouldn't you rejoice if you had lost half of your inheritance and suddenly it came back to you?"

I think it's about the heart, once again. God loves a cheerful giver, pure hearts will see God, love one another as you love yourself, integrity and justice in deeds.

I also love that the youngest son wasn't able to completely articulate a whole theology of sorrow for feeling unworthy... "I screwed up and I lost more than I gained. If I could just be back here and work the field now...?" What could have made the Father happier?

The elder still needs to walk the journey back to his Father. Repentance should come to him too, but how will it? Will he follow the steps of his young brother? How will his present attitude affect his work in the field now? What will his relationship with his Father be like from now on, since he's not "the one who stayed faithful to honor his Father" anymore... How about his relationship with his younger brother as he too returns to work the harvest?

Maybe the elder's son dramatic journey is only starting, at home, understanding that the pilgrimage he needs to embark on is one of the heart... actions don't tell the whole story...