The Prodigal Son

Yesterday's gospel reading was the Prodigal Son.

I had never paid much attention to it before. The family and I don't go to mass every week, and I was almost disinclined to go to Mass yesterday, but Jen wanted to so off we went.

The story captures so much of the New Testament doesn't it? We have the prodigal son, and the father who would be entitled to cast his son to the servants quarters, but instead welcomes him and puts on a feast.

Both the father and the older brother have all the reason in the world to reject the younger son. But it is the father's love that shines over any other consideration and welcomes the younger back into the fold.

The father followed his heart, and we feel that it is the right thing to do, even as we acknowledge that there is ample reason to do the opposite.

Love and light prevail over justice and retribution.

And the envy of the older brother is evil in its destructive and selfish manifestation.

Love triumphs in the end.

I'm a simple man, and certainly know nothing about the bible. Nevertheless, I thought if all I had to take out of the bible was one passage, it would probably be this one.

I am tired tonight and can't do this justice. Maybe some other time. For now I take comfort in its story as one which represents to me the most important lesson of all.