Movement continues within the parable of these two sons and their father.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Luke 15:1-2)
Then Jesus said, "There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." So he set off and went to his father. (Luke 18-20a) But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe - the best one - and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:20b-24)
Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your Brother has come and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. (Luke 15:25-28)
What will come out of the older son's mouth will be saved for tomorrow. As for today, we must live again with unconventional love. At first I wondered why anyone would draw into question a party. Isn't a party all about celebration? Maybe this son wondered how a celebration could begin without being informed about it or at least having some say in the party. The slave says an important word to this older brother. He identifies him as "your brother." Even the slave - more than likely, one of the neighborhood children - knows of the relationship and the connection. No matter how the younger son left the homestead, this is still son...this is still brother....this is still all about relationship as essential to our life and our future. Unfortunately, the relationship - now reestablished and back in place - cannot be permitted...it cannot be experienced as joy. As in the case of the father who recklessly runs after the youngest son who was still far off, so does the father now leave his position as head of household and all of its status to go out and do what a slave should do - beacon the older brother to come into the party. But no! This loving father will let himself be humiliated in order to reach out to this older son so that in his reaching out to him, the distance between those in this family will be eliminated. The older son will have nothing to do with this gesture of utmost love that will step down in order to bring in those on the outside of the party.
Alas, this son is not going to go near and he will listen without hearing.
Connection: We all play games with love and gifts and honor and relationships. Game playing never allows us to see them or him or her as one of us. There are always reasons to draw lines when we play games with each other...there are always going to be winners and losers for those who live in the middle of "fatted calf games." What will keep us from going into the party today?
How sweet is your love that binds us together as one family within your gracious Reign! But we all know that there are times when we do not want to be bound together and instead we would insist on being separated and within our own world that moves along in the ways we would have it move. Praise to you, O God, for continuing to extend a hand - offer a word - give all you have - and, put us with us even as we reject you. For by this love of yours, is our hope and the life to come in your name. Amen.
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