Deacon Tom Writes,
“The More Things Change,
The
More They Remain The Same”
There is much commentary today about the vanishing
middle class, how they have been left behind in our new economy. Low paying
jobs with no benefits, the persistent difficulty in finding full time
employment, the lack of adequate training for the high skilled jobs demanded by
the technological revolution of the last two decades and the high cost of
living have combined to forced many mothers and fathers to work two, sometimes
three jobs to provide for the basic need of their family. Stirred up by
politicians and the media people have become angry that they haven’t been
getting their “fair share” and, there is ample evidence to support this
sentiment. There is a spirit of bitterness, resentment and even hatred
festering in the hearts of many people. As I read today’s gospel in light of these
realities I sense that old truism at work, “The
more things change, the more things remain the same”. For, as we read
today, the older brother felt that he too wasn’t getting his fair share either.
I sense these are the same emotional struggles the
older brother in today’s gospel had to contend with when his younger brother up
and left, perhaps to “find himself”
in the big city of his day. This older brother had stayed at home; he worked
the farm, probably having to take on additional responsibilities because of his
brother’s sudden departure. He probably felt that his father was giving away
what was rightfully his by his birthright when his younger brother flew the
coup. He was resentful and had every right to be because his brother violated
the social norms of the times and, upon his return, seems to suffer no ill
consequence. Even more challenging, he seems to be rewarded for his bad
behavior. Most of us today identify with this older brother and sympathize with
him.
If we spend some time with this reading, however,
our eyes may be opened to the beauty of this parable wherein we are able to see
how God not only refuses to see our bad behavior but also readily welcomes us
back when we come to our senses. For the younger son, it was his errant
behavior, his disrespect for his father and brother, his selfishness and wanton
behavior that God overlooks. The older brother, too, is in need of forgiveness
for his failing to recognize his father’s need to stand by his son who made a
mistake and was contrite enough to admit it. This parable ends, however, and
leaves us wondering if the older son ever comes to his senses and joins the
banquet with his merciful father, penitent brother and joyful guests.
This parable gives us insight into God’s very
nature, i.e. one of “unconditional love”. God willingly
overlooks all our faults and sins and welcomes us home with open arms when we
return. For God does not “count our
trespasses against us”.
We are called to forgive “seventy times seven time” Jesus tells us according to St. Matthew
(Mt 18:22). Perhaps, if we practiced
to forgive this often, we would become good at it. How much our lives would
improve for the better!
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
Image Credit: Act Of Forgiveness, after Giotto 1450
reproduction