The three parables of things lost and found emphasise the unending
forgiveness of God and God’s rejoicing for those who return. In each of the
situations there is a frantic search for that which is lost and a huge
celebration when the lost is found.
In the third parable of the Lost Son there is much to
reflect on. We hear that the younger brother eventually ‘came to his senses’. We might
pray today that God shows us the aspects of our lives in which we also need to ‘come
to our senses’.
As with all parables, we are left thinking and wondering,
disturbed even. A sheep and a coin we can rejoice over, but when it is a person
who has done us harm, hurt us in some way, it is a much deeper and more painful
process. The elder brother in the third parable feels hard done by, is deeply
hurt, full of anger and resentment. Luke, being the
excellent storyteller that he is, does not tell us the outcome of the story; it
is for us to finish for ourselves. The elder brother has two options: he can
walk away full of resentment or he can try to let go of the anger he feels towards
his brother. The latter is a more difficult path but it is the only one that
leads to life, no matter how painful the journey may be. The Father stands
there pleading for the elder brother to come in.
“Forgiveness isn’t about releasing someone from accountability for his
actions. It is about us letting go of our anger and resentment.” 
No comments:
Post a Comment