Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary
Lk 15:1-32
September 11, 2022

Almost universally known, Jesus’s parable of the Prodigal Son offers a lesson that transcends sibling rivalry and resentment. This drama-packed story offers insights into the complex interactions of the entire human family. For a deeper and even more fruitful interpretation of the parable, it might be helpful to remember that the word describing the wayward son…PRODIGAL… is suited not only to him, but to his father and his brother as well.

“Prodigal” is defined as wasteful or reckless extravagance. In fact, Fr. Richard Rohr would rename the parable. He suggests that the story of the Prodigal Son is more that of the Prodigal Father, who, we come to learn, is extravagant when it comes to his sons. The sons are prodigal in failure; the father is prodigal in generosity.

The failure of the younger son is obvious, but he dealt with it and returned repentant. As a result, his dignity as a much-loved child was restored. The failure of the resentful son is more difficult for most people to grasp. Why shouldn’t he be resentful?

But the truth is, by withholding forgiveness, and harboring resentment and anger, he is allowing the situation to continue to do him harm…spiritual, emotional, possibly physical…and maybe even financial harm…the kind of harm that neither he nor the family might ever recover from. Jesus leaves us to ponder whether the “faithful son” was able to work through the feelings that darkened his spirit and threatened the peace of his family.

As far as the “prodigal father,” anyone who considers it a “failure” to be extravagant in forgiveness, patience, tolerance, mercy, and love…as we hear in our Second Reading…is acting out of ignorance and unbelief.

By highlighting the prodigal nature of the father, the extravagant love of God surfaces as the primary lesson of the story. When we merely gloss over the father’s contribution to the drama, we limit the teaching power of the little story. By keeping the spotlight on the Prodigal Father, we have the opportunity to become better acquainted with our God!

There is a very dark cloud hanging over our world these days. This stormfront has brought with it anger, resentment, conflict, division, and violence. As a human family, we are in crisis mode, making it especially urgent for us to embrace the fullness of this story and use what we learn to push back against the darkness.

Consider, for example, the darkness that has overwhelmed a small town in Idaho. The town recently made the news as a result of the activities by members of the conservative Christian movement who have relocated there. According to one man, who is part of this exodus, these folks are seeking to escape the decadence that is rampant in our country. They have found refuge in this remote area of the northwest. They are ambitious to separate from the United States, living together according to “Christian moral principles.” They are claiming this town as their own “promised land.”

Recently, and inspired by fundamentalist interpretations of Sacred Scripture, these folks have targeted the local library. Attending library board meetings, literally armed not just with the Bible, but with guns as well, they are demanding the removal of a list of over 400 books from the library shelves. In fact, according to the director of the library, who has resigned out of fear, not a single book on the list has been in circulation from that facility.

She goes on to explain that because of the actions and threats of these Christians, and the clear and present danger of violence they bring, this once integral and much valued community resource is likely to close its doors altogether.

If I were the pastor in a Roman Catholic parish in this town under siege, I would stress how Jesus reacted to violence: Put your sword back into its sheath, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. (Matt 26:52)

At the same time, I would very much encourage a prayerful, thoughtful, open-minded and “open-hearted” reading of today’s Gospel.

Like every other place in our sin-tainted world, despite the best efforts to force reform and conversion, this little town will never be perfect. Our world gave up perfection with the first sin. Moreover, it will certainly not be made perfect by bringing guns and Bibles to public meetings. “Stiff-necked people,” who are convinced of their own righteousness, might very well be missing the plank in their own eyes.

Continuing to dig deeper into the story of the “three prodigals,” Fr. Rohr suggests: If there is such a thing as human perfection, it seems to emerge precisely from how we handle the imperfection that is everywhere, especially our own.

So how does that work? Definitely not by packing a gun next to The Bible.

How do we deal with the imperfections we PERCEIVE in others in hopes of living together according to “Christian moral principles?

Maybe by accepting that God, when it comes to the human family, is truly Prodigal. Wouldn’t that mean that we should resist the urge to act out of ignorance and unbelief, simply leaving God to be God; that is, extravagant in Divine forgiveness, patience, tolerance, mercy, and love?

Isn’t the wiser course of action to loosen our “stiff necks” so that we can better see, focus on, and deal with our own imperfections? Isn’t it the better route to perfection simply CONTRITION AND REPENTANCE?

One thing is certain, if we, as a human family, do not make every effort to work through the feelings that have darkened our spirits and threatened the peace of the human family…the anger, resentment, conflict, division, and violence will continue until it boils over. No good will come from bringing guns and threats to public meetings…even if you are packing the Bible in your other pocket.

The solution, my reading of this Gospel leads me to believe, is set like a diamond in the center of the parable.

We are called to be PRODIGAL…like the father…like our God…PRODIGAL IN PATIENCE, MERCY, FORGIVENESS, AND LOVE!