The parable of the prodigal son, which we heard this morning for the Gospel reading, is actually wrongly titled. It actually should be 'The parable of the Merciful father'. Unfortunately most of us invariably focus our attention on the son who leaves the father's house and then regretfully returns. That the son who stayed behind with the father all along, was no better than his younger brother is sometimes lost out on us.
In all this 'blame-game' and feeling of resonance of our personal lives, we fail to focus on the father who is all merciful and loving. Nothing, nothing at all, deters him from continuing to love his children. The son who walks out on him is loved dearly. So is the one who stays on! Irrespective of their attitude or behaviour, the father continues to love them the same. Most parents exhibit this loving mercy all along their parenting. I guess, it is something parents somehow acquire with children around.
While those who walk away in rebellion and then realize their connectedness to their dear ones carry the guilt of being shameful, those who witness the mercy of the father, from close quarters, rather than rejoice, fail to accept the acceptance of the father. Paul Tillich does have a point, when he speaks of faith involving 'the acceptance of the acceptance of God'. We tend to focus solely on our own merit (or demerit) and leave no scope for ourselves. And if someone is granted scope and space, we feel 'betrayed in spite of our loyalty'. Blessed is he who sees beyond oneself and savours the love of the Father.
In all this 'blame-game' and feeling of resonance of our personal lives, we fail to focus on the father who is all merciful and loving. Nothing, nothing at all, deters him from continuing to love his children. The son who walks out on him is loved dearly. So is the one who stays on! Irrespective of their attitude or behaviour, the father continues to love them the same. Most parents exhibit this loving mercy all along their parenting. I guess, it is something parents somehow acquire with children around.
While those who walk away in rebellion and then realize their connectedness to their dear ones carry the guilt of being shameful, those who witness the mercy of the father, from close quarters, rather than rejoice, fail to accept the acceptance of the father. Paul Tillich does have a point, when he speaks of faith involving 'the acceptance of the acceptance of God'. We tend to focus solely on our own merit (or demerit) and leave no scope for ourselves. And if someone is granted scope and space, we feel 'betrayed in spite of our loyalty'. Blessed is he who sees beyond oneself and savours the love of the Father.
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