The Prodigal Son: The Path of Mercy

1. The Son who was Lost- John Paul II describes the son who was lost as one who made: a) personal choice of isolation- a departure from the ways of God, the Church, the superiors. John Paul II calls it “the adventurous departure from his father’s house; b) a personal choice for independence- the lack of the concept of home, the sense of interpersonal relationship, and the lack of the joy of interdependence. It is the road towards an empty life. John Paul II describes this as “the squandering of all his property in a loose and empty life.” It is a dependence on things rather than on persons; c) the preference of darkness of individualism.  He experiences “the dark days of exile and hunger, but even more of lost dignity, humiliation and shame.”

But the lost son makes his way back to his father by himself. He demonstrated these: a) he was disappointed of the experience of emptiness; b) he begins to build a new world for himself. This time he will make it with the father and his household. This began with the nostalgia for his own home; c) he puts on the courage to go back. The courage to go back to the father was the result of being what John Paul II said: “alone, dishonored, exploited when he tries to build a world all for himself sorely tried, even in the depths of his own misery, by the desire to return to communion with his Father, (RP 5) d) the warm welcome of the father. The father did not say any word to the son but only allowed the son to speak. The total and complete son’s return was characterized as a collective effort.

2. The Son who Stayed at Home- John Paul II describes the elder son: a) so near yet so far- We were told that he was always with the father and this came out from the mouth of the Father. “My son, you are with me always; and everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:31) He is with the father always but the occasion came to reveal who he was: his heart was far from the father. He is the son “who refuses to take his place at the banquet”; b) he stands to be superior of everyone. John Paul II commented that “he rebukes his younger brother for his dissolute wanderings, and he rebukes his father for the welcome given to the prodigal son;” c) he murmurs and rebukes- while he himself, a temperate and hard-working person, faithful to father and home, has never been allowed-he says to have a celebration with his friends. John Paul II commented that “this is a sign that he does not understand the father’s goodness. To the extent that this brother, too sure of himself and his own good qualities, jealous and haughty, full of bitterness and anger, is not converted and is not reconciled with his father and brother; d) the lack of gratitude- the lack of gratitude forces him to stay away from the celebration. “The banquet is not yet fully the celebration of a reunion and rediscovery.” (RP 6)

3. The Father who Has Mercy- The mercy of God is illustrated in varied ramifications: a) meaningful memory- the memory of love makes the meaningfulness of our memory. John Paul II describes the father as: “The father had certainly not forgotten his son, indeed he had kept unchanged his affection and esteem for him; b) the capacity to anticipate and to wait- fruitful expectation is a sign of love and mercy. So the father had always waited for him and for his return. The father knew much of his son. He knows that the son cannot bear of being alone. He knows he cannot withstand in isolation because he knows he is dependent; c) no words at all- upon the return of the older son, the father just embraced him and said no words; and so the father embraces him; d) to stay with the son.  This is illustrated by the celebration they had right away. The father gives orders for a great feast to celebrate the return of him “who was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.” (RP 5)

4. The Servants who were Obedient to the Commands- the fascinating role of the servants is to be given attention in this reflection. Complete reconciliation and forgiveness do not forget the people who made the event possible.

         a. the servants who prepared the celebration- upon the command of the father, the servants prepared the celebration: a) restoration of the son. “quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” b) celebration for the son. “take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast.” (Lk 15:23)

         b. the servant who led the path to reconciliation- upon the command of the older son to answer his questions, the servant brought a new path for the older son: a) guide towards the brother- “Your brother” has returned; b) guide towards the father- and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf…” (Lk 15:27) c) guide towards reconciliation- “because he has him back safe and sound.” (Lk 15:27) d) guide towards the celebration or to the sacrifice- “your father slaughtered the fattened calf” (Lk 15:27) e) guide towards the house- the servant implied invitation by saying “your brother has returned, your father slaughtered…” (Lk 15:27).