Alright, if you don't already know, I was raised Catholic. I had years of catechism. So I've heard the parable of the prodigal son at least a dozen times. But that doesn't seem to matter, because I just don't get it. I always have the same "wtf" reaction. Maybe it's because I'm the oldest child, or maybe because I'm the well-behaved, follow-the-rules child in my family. I don't know.
In any case, I heard this parable again today, from a non-Christian, non-religious source. It was still trying to make the same point though (I'm pretty sure). The same point that eludes me.
So please, fill me in. What should I have gotten from this all those years?
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- Shannon
- I'm not so simply, me. I haven't quite gotten the elevator speech about myself down yet. Some of the most obvious things about me are that I'm a wife, stay-at-home mom of a toddler, entrepreneur, freelance writer, and admirer of all things creative.
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4 comments:
I've always thought the point of the story is that God (represented by the father) is gracious, and his love for us isn't dependent on how good we've been or how we've tried to "earn" it.
The older son has a "wtf" reaction, too--"this isn't fair, what about me, look at all I've done for you and what have you done for me lately" kind of thing. The father's response is kind of confusing, but I think the essence of it is, "None of that stuff matters--I've loved you and your brother equally, and now it's time for you to stop focusing on yourself and to celebrate the return of your brother."
I think it's kind of a contrast between two very different ways of relating to God--trying to puff up and impress him versus humbly acknowledging that I can't earn his love, and that all the love he gives me is an act of grace.
I liked Erin's answer.
I wanted to add, too, that another point is that go out and screw up the worst way we know how, and the Father doesn't look at each little sin and decide whether or not we've committed too many. That was the brother's job. He basically said, [start whine] "Dad, he's been out drinking and having sex while I've been working my ass off." [end whine]
And Dad says, "Kid, I don't care what the heck he did. He was gone, and now he's back. That's what really matters."
We don't deserve that, but he loves us enough to forget the bad stuff--of course, only if we ask him to.
After I commented, I was thinking and wondered what the non-Christian version of the story that you read was about?
I was trying to think of what parallel point a secular source would be making with the same story, and I couldn't think of one. Do you remember enough of it to post it?
I'm listening to The Power of Now on cd. The author was talking about the parable. I can't recall the point, but obviously it was something to do with being present. I can't remember the details.
Thanks for your explanation (Shannon's too). I guess I DID know what the parable is about and what it's supposed to teach. I guess I just could never accept that.
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