When we think of ourselves, we like to think that we are strong- like an impenetrable fortress, unable to be moved of swayed by any sort of force. Staunch and steadfast until the very end, unaffected by external forces. I may have been tempted to think of myself that way at times, until about a year ago. It was whenever I was first able to hold Bella and look into her soulful brown eyes that I knew I was in trouble. Now, we’ve all seen thousands and thousands of pairs of eyes in our lifetime, but there is something powerful about hers, particularly in moments of trouble. I first discovered this when she made messes. There may have been a temptation to scold her for what she did- but I couldn’t- those brown, Bambi-like eyes were so sorry that I could do nothing but love her. If she ever doesn’t listen to what I’m saying- it’s always the same. She pulls out those eyes, and all of a sudden a rebuke turns into an invitation. If I’ve learned anything, its that those eyes have taught me something important- not how to be strong and staunch, but how to give love, and receive it in return. She’s irresistible- even in the moments she messes up- she’s still so loveable, and she has a way of reminding me of that!
This parable from the Gospel this weekend is one of the most well-known of them, and for good reason! It is a story that defies the odds, one that goes against expectations, and one that can even evoke tears in one’s soul- if they realize that their God does something far more powerful. It is no surprise then that we can easily plug this parable into our lives, and find consolation, reassurance, and even challenges as well.
The first reading comes from the book of Joshua. We’ve moved past the time of Moses and his leadership over the Israelites, and so we are in a new place- both literally and figuratively. So we are in a time post Egypt by quite some time- and more than we may expect. Joshua at the beginning of this passage is speaking to the people the words that the Lord had for him to speak: “Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you!”
This should make us stop and think- didn’t He remove the reproach of Egypt some time ago? They haven’t been captive for years and years! This is the completion of that action of removing the reproach- of the ways of old. They are coming into a land flush with food. They don’t need the old bread from heaven- that manna- any longer because God is providing plenty for them. So, the last of the elements reminding them of the times of exile and want is being removed. However, some elements remain- such as the feast of Passover- which does remind them of the Lord’s favor of them. They still eat a great many things in this feast, but now it is fruit of the land, reminding them that God is providing for them in a new place and in a new way. They need no longer fear the Egyptians at all, not even the mundane ritual of manna. God is giving them a new place and a new way. They are given something so much better. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord- as the Israelites did.
The second reading then comes from Saint Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. He carries on this theme of things that are new- as he says “whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.” We know this to be true in a historic way, and also in a sacramental way, as baptism is the very living out of this moment. New things have come- and all through God who reconciled us to himself through Christ- something we could not do on our own. We show the world, at large, this ability that Christ has given us to call ourselves reconciled- because He paid the price for this. So, we should bear witness to this. However, that work isn’t done, as we still sin. So, what remains to be done? Paul implores the church in Corinth- be reconciled to God. This is what should remain for us to do! We need to make that return often, so that we can enjoy the righteousness of the one who wants to bestow it upon us. We need reconciliation and to return to God.
Speaking of a return to God, we are at a moment to bring up the Gospel. Pharisees and tax collectors are busy slandering Jesus because of the way that He is not selective about who He dines with or associates with- at least in their eyes. They are grumbling about this and very upset. So what does Jesus do? He breaks out a parable for them to hear, to illustrate the point of why He does what He does.
We are all familiar with the story- a man has two sons. The younger comes up to the father demanding his inheritance. The father gives it to him, and he goes away. The young son lives a life of dissipation. He goes out and spends money on a lavish lifestyle. It’s not enough to say that he was living lavishly. He was living sinfully. He did whatever he wanted- or at least he thought he wanted. He spent and squandered all that money. He felt like he was doing pretty well until a time of famine entered the land- and he realized he really had nothing to endure this affliction that had come his way. It gets so bad he goes and takes up a job feeding pigs, and wants what they are eating, but he couldn’t have any. In that moment of depravity, the young son thinks. Maybe I can do better. Maybe if I go back to my father, he would help. Now, the son thinks that the father can’t possibly love him the way he loved him before, so he sets the bar low- maybe he won’t love me as a son, but as a hired hand! Let’s try.
Imagine the shock of that young man when he finds out that his father has been watching- and intently too because he sees him far off at a distance. The father runs out to meet the son who has been rehearsing his speech all along- and the father embraces the son. The son says what he has been rehearsing, but notice the father ignores all of this, and instead listens only to the first part- I’ve sinned against heaven and against you. He takes him up and restores him- and even throws a feast in the joy that the father has for the son. This is so lavish that the older son comes to a crisis. He hears how the young son has come home and how the father loves that young son so much to throw a party for that son- and he is upset. We might think on some level it is understandable, but notice, there is something worse that happens. The young son came home, but the older son, he ends up outside of the father’s house, and despite his father’s pleas to return, he remains hardened and self-righteous. The young son is being celebrated, and the old son resents it.
Now, what can we learn from this parable, even perhaps some things we haven’t before?
First, notice the father. The father loves lavishly. He loves in a way that is unexpected, not by a righteous man nor by a sinner. He loves infinitely, and perfectly, in a way that would challenge the most generous of us to imitate. Yet, He does. This reminds us my brothers and sisters: God loves us in an unimaginable way. Do you realize the deep love of your father? The father loves us in ways we do not expect. Sure, He loves us in the moments where we do His will, but what about when we don’t expect it? What about when we deal with our wounds or brokenness? What about when other people have done incredibly bad or evil things to us? What about when we turn rebellious and want our “fun” or inheritance now- and tell the father to go away with all his demands and his deep care and compassion for us? Yes- He loves us there. We need to realize this, brothers and sisters, because if we were able to witness more fully how much God loves us- I think we’d have a lot more difficult a time being angry with God, or even being able to sin against Him. I daresay it would be impossible if we saw it fully- and we need to realize this!
Second, we should note the effect of sincere repentance. Look at what happens if we return to the father. Does He hold it over our heads? Does He lord over us and make us feel bad? No. No He doesn’t. He hears our cry of repentance, and offers us not harshness, not judgement, but joy. If we return to the Father- we see His joy that He has for us! This should encourage us not to feel like our situation is hopeless. We are not beyond God’s mercy or love. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done! It doesn’t matter how deep your sin goes! That is why I ask so frequently for you to return to confession- it is there we learn how much the Father loves you. Don’t worry about me- I’m simply a conduit, and everything said there goes to the Cross and is gone forever- it doesn’t even stay with me. Give God a chance to love you- I don’t care what you’ve done or how long it’s been- go to God! Give Him a chance to run to you- because He will!
The final thing we can learn is a choice- are we going to be repentant or self-righteous? There are two sons in the Gospel, are there not? Well, that is because there is a lesson. If we were asked which was right and which was wrong- we might say the older was right, and the younger was wrong. Surprisingly, though, that is not true. It is the exact opposite. What did the older son do? Sure, he remained faithful in a lot of ways to the father, but when it came to a critical moment, what did he do? He buckled. He folded. He became angry and self-righteous. He had this all figured out, and couldn’t be bothered. He completely blocked out the love of the father because he wanted his own way- no matter how much that was going to kill his heart and his soul. He wanted to pretend perfection- to a father who knew he needed his mercy just as much as anyone else. He was lying to the father- and thought he could get away with it- even though the father loved him through it, and tried to reason with him. That older son stayed outside of the father’s house- and even outside of heaven. God has no need for your self-righteousness and your independence. He doesn’t care for it. He would rather you receive his love- and love Him in return.
So, who is right? The one who came back home. The younger son. The one who rebelled, disrespected the Father, and squandered what his Father gave him. That was the right way. Now was it right he went away? No! It wasn’t right that he rebelled and went against God. But, what was right was that he realized he had strayed, and he was humble enough to come back. He was afraid, and kind of stumbled to the father- and the father was overjoyed and ran to him- scooped him up, and brought him back to His house- back to heaven. That is the right way. And he didn’t even have to have Bella’s brown bambi-eyes to receive that love. He didn’t have to move the Father at all. The father was already coming for Him.
What is the message for this weekend my brothers and sisters? Don’t be self-righteous. Don’t hold out on God. Don’t live in feat of your God because of what you’ve done. Trust Him and know how much He loves you.
You can (and you should) come home to the Father now- He is waiting for you- and He loves you!
