First Impressions Volume II

There is so much to ponder in the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son. The father's words "All I have is yours" seems to be a casual statement in response to the older son's anger, but I think it really speaks of a kind of generosity that we have difficulty comprehending. In my experience, most adults I know have spent their lives working hard to maintain solid family lives and make ends meet. A few are financially wealthy but only through personal sacrifices that did not entail short-changing their families. Some now struggle to keep a roof over their heads in this poor economy in spite of savings and long careers.

I think that this type of work ethic makes it difficult for many of us to accept all that the Father offers us without our working for it. Perhaps that led the older son into some of his anger and jealousy. Perhaps it makes us wonder about God's judgment and mercy in our lives and in the lives of those we know. Does the good life here on earth come to those who are living a spiritually good life? Not always and sometimes just the opposite happens. So what does this mean? Do our good efforts or bad choices not matter to God?

For me, this parable speaks of the incredible faithfulness and generosity of God. God offers us "all", everything ! Lent is a time of reconciliation... and God takes the first step !!! Each of us needs God's forgiveness, that knowing that the King of Kings keeps looking for each of us to return to Him and that He will run to us when He catches sight of us, even, I think, if we are barely thinking of being better people!

Perhaps you know someone who is leaning in the direction of returning to the Church or maybe you yourself are a bit reluctant to give all of yourself to God. What an image of God this parable gives for us to look in God's direction once again or more fully! God's generosity overshadows any sin and tempers any anger at the good fortune of others. We belong to Him and God will welcome us with an embrace. All we have to "do" is accept it... something not easy for some, but certainly easier than working for something we could never achieve on our own anyway.

Sometimes, of course, the most religious people can be the least forgiving. I have a friend who is a scripture scholar. He once had the task of organizing a very big and important international ecumenical conference in Rome on some vitally important aspect of biblical Scholarship -- I forget exactly which aspect and so does he. But he assures me that it seemed very important at the time.

Anyway, after nearly 6 months of work, inviting, arranging, persuading and organizing, he had about 30 of the finest scripture scholars from all over the world and from many different Christian denominations in one room. The first session was supposed to decide the agenda for the conference -- what they were going to talk about it. And the idea was to find a single basic point on which they could all agree and then begin to discuss other issues from there.

To start with, there came a few moderate and sensible suggestions. But, each time, there was somebody who could not agree. Then followed several less moderate and sensible suggestions.

Voices began to be raised; historical quarrels resurfaced; personal animosities and professional jealousies ran amok. The row grew steadily louder and then quite suddenly diminished into a cold, tense and hostile silence… one of those Silences that like a cancer grows…

My friend, in despair at seeing so many months of work turn to ashes in so few minutes, felt he just had to break the silence somehow. He turned to the man next to him, who just happened to be a Russian Orthodox bishop, and said the first thing that came into his head: "What's your favorite parable?"

The bishop paused, stroked his beard and said, "the Prodigal Son". In an instant everyone in the room was asking one another what was their favorite parable and they all received the same answer. And so the entire conference was devoted to exploring the great richness and complexity of Jesus' parable. It seems that there is no-one -- however religious, however well-educated; however hardened by life; however worldly wise or politically powerful -- who fails to appreciate the great mystery that this scripture presents to us ; that our God is capable of more forgiveness than we are capable of asking. There is no-one whose heart cannot be touched by a story of genuine love and true forgiveness.

One thing more. It's not often that I remember a homily for long after it has been delivered. But my understanding of this parable was changed by a priest I heard about -- oh golly! - twenty years ago, who began his homily by saying: "This is not the parable of the Prodigal Son, nor even the parable of the Prodigal Father, but rather it is the parable of Elder Brother who has to learn that -- whatever has passed before -- his brother has been lost and is found; was dead and is now alive."

Like many countries in the world, <Britain> is now in need of peace and reconciliation. After the events of the last few months many people in this country ; and some I imagine right here in this church -- feel that they have either won or lost something. To those who feel they have lost, the Church must say "be like the Son who has such confidence in the love of His Prodigal Father that he can return and seek reconciliation no matter what has gone before."

And to those who feel that they have won: "Be like the Son to whom the Father says: "Your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found."

Let us stand and profess our Faith in God who is capable of more Forgiveness than we are capable of asking.

"While it takes only one to forgive, it takes two to be reconciled..........Reconciliation is God's gift to us. Our response is twofold: to accept it and become a new creation in Christ. God has done God's work of reconciliation on our behalf and now entrusts the message of reconciliation to us ambassadors."

No matter what, it doesn't add up......or does it? When I was a youngster, my mother would sit at table with me: 1 apple + 1 apple = 2 apples, 1 pear + pear = 2 pears; 1 penny + 1 penny = 2 cents. It was going greatly. Take them from the table and ask me the question: 1 + 1 = ? "1" came my reply. After a few attempts & ever greying hairs, mom recounts: she cored the apples, made a pie; sliced the pears and enjoyed them with a full glass of wine & the pennies: to the piggy bank!

Years later, I am in class in university and professor barkley took pains to teach us that mathematically 1 + 1 actually = 1. Mom wanted to commit homicide when I took the notes home. I was right all along.

Funny, when I read fr. Sciliano's reflection: I thought of the math example right away.

So I figure: it takes 1 to forgive + 2 to be reconciled = 1 in shared brokenness & hope for healing.

Now, to be fair. Lessons with a young college girl who had the patience of the Virgin Mary brought things to light where I bought into the world view of 1+1......

but in the end, God's grace provides! Just don't follow the math, do the work, let the Lord provide the healing grace & become a new creation in Christ. After all, life in Christ doesn't add up to the way the world views things......... the world would want it all to equal out......... to me, the ministry of the Church is to stand in awe of the promise that all may not add up the way we'd like, but in the hands of Christ: let the message be carried by the ambassadors:

youngsters, moms, teachers, professors, bakers, bankers: let the Lord bring home the bacon!

Volume 2 is for you. Your thoughts, reflections, and insights on the next Sundays readings can influence the preaching you hear. Send them to jboll@preacherexchange.org. Deadline is Wednesday Noon. Include your Name, and Email Address.

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