The older brother

Luke 15:11-32

          This is one of my all time favorite readings. I promise not to try and write down every last thought I have. I will say, there is an enormous amount of wisdom and lessons for all of us in this one passage. We can identify with almost any one of the characters.

           There is a dynamic of an older and younger brother. While it may not always be true we presume the older brother has more wisdom and maturity. Perhaps that is born out in this very reading because it is the younger one that foolishly takes is inheritance and squanders it. But the older brother is really not that much better and that's whom I'd like to focus on.

         Which of us would identify with being the older brother?  We obey all the rules, We do not stray from the path. We work hard and toil for the Father. I could easily liken the older brother to the faithful of the church that attend every Sunday and are almost indignant at the hoards that return to church on Easter sunday, or palm sunday or any other of the major holy days. Is this not like how the older brother reacts to his returning sibling? Think about motivations and feelings, I think it's true.

          Where the older brother really fails (and perhaps the indignant faithful) is that he failed to accept the fathers love all along. It was almost like he was crippled with fear. The father said you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It seems the older brother viewed his obedience and hard work as if he had been a slave. He failed to embrace the fact that he was so loved and own up (live up?) to his heritage. He could have partied with his friends. All that the father had was his all along. Why didn't the older brother accept what he had all along?  Are we afraid to embrace and accept the love of the father? Are we still thinking that God's love for us is contingent on being a good boy and girl? I am not saying go out and be a bad boy or girl. But are we willing to embrace the love and joy of our heritage?  God is not looking for deeds and mere obedience.

        God wants us to be home with him, pleasant conversations, joyful partying and just being who we are, who he created us to be.  In continuing our lenten journey, let's try to get in touch with a good mixture of the two brothers together. Let us realize God loves us all. If God love's one brother, it does not mean he loves the other less.  Food for thought.

         

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 travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 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 and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 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. 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.

‘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. But he answered his father, “Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.” ’