Going "Prodigal"--Luke 15:11

If you are Catholic and attend mass regularly, at some point in the liturgical calendar (usually around lent) you will hear the parable of the prodigal son.

To sum it up:  A farmer has two sons: an older one who totally obeys his father and a younger one who is restless and seeks to explore that which  is outside the lines. And so the restless child convinces his father to pre-issue his inheritance only to blow it all and end up in poverty. All the while the stay within the lines child remains obedient to his father on the family’s farm.

Until one day the rebellious child comes to his senses and goes home—repentant, yet uncertain of his reception. But to his surprise he finds his father to be overjoyed at his homecoming. In fact, the father holds a feast in his honor.

The obedient brother however is not so thrilled—he is quite angry. The obedient child thinks Seriously? This is BS. I toil all day and I cannot even get a scrap of goat to share with my friends-- yet golden boy get a hero’s welcome.

 And like the dutiful son, until I had children of my own I could not see past the bad behavior of the prodigal son. I thought the father had absolutely lost his mind.

It was only when I became a parent that  I fully understood.

Because none of my children were perfectly behaved at all times. At some point each of them went prodigal—i.e. ventured outside the lines only to return with their head hung low in regret. Going prodigal was a function of a zest for life and a curiosity for exploration. Because sometimes the only way to learn that an iron is hot is to touch it—a simple warning does not suffice in preventing a blistered finger and an apology.

And there I stood----at the homecoming—frustrated, yet ready with absolute love and forgiveness.

Because no sheep is ever too black or ever too lost.

All homecomings are a cause for celebration.

And there is always something to both love and hate in all your children. Everyone learns lessons in different ways. It is important to remember that bad behavior does not make a bad child—bad intent does. Children become what they are told—which is why the telling is so critical. The telling is the  determiner. And a siblings’ choice takes nothing from what a parent gives to the other sons and daughters—a parents’ balance sheet always zeros out no matter what credits and debits are met along the way.

Because there can be no redemption without forgiveness. And only in giving does anyone receive.