There’s something missing from this prodigal son story
“Well, I hope you learned your lesson” is never spoken, never even implied
By Steve Hall
There’s something missing from this prodigal son story. You probably noticed it and then dismissed it, concentrating instead on the details Jesus describes in his parable. Take another look.
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
There’s something missing from this prodigal son story. You probably noticed it and then dismissed it, concentrating instead on the details Jesus describes in his parable.
First, there’s no judgment from the father about what his younger son has done. The words: “Well, I hope you learned your lesson” are never spoken, never even implied.
There is no reproach, no criticism, no censure. Not even a reprimand and certainly no condemnation. The suggestion from the son that he might be offered the status of servant rather than that of son is not dismissed because it is not even heard.
The father neither states nor implies that he has been offended, let alone insulted. Nor do we hear even the slightest hint that the father is either disgusted or even displeased.
Strangely enough — at least strange to our way of thinking — is that the fact that neither forgiveness nor absolution are part of this reunion. There is simply joy.
We may picture God as we would picture ourselves in the stories we create; but that is not the God found in Jesus’ parable. Nor should it or even could it be. When the Psalmist writes of his transgressions he says that in being with The Lord his transgressions have been separated from him as far as the east is from the west. It must necessarily be so. The holiness of God is such that there is no place for even the most ‘benign’ evil (if such a thing as ‘benign’ evil is possible). Not even the remembrance of evil has a place.
So let’s go forward knowing that all we would choose to forget about ourselves cannot separate us from the Joy of surrendering to God as a servant whom he readily elevates to sons.