|
The Parable of the Prodigal
In one of His best known parables, Jesus tells of a father with two sons.
The younger son demands his share of the inheritance and leaves home, only to waste it on riotous living.
Eventually he finds himself reduced to a lowly swineherd, dirty and destitute. In desperation, he decides
to return home and beg for mercy. Instead of disowning the son or treating him as a lowly servant, his
father welcomes him with open arms and throws a great feast in celebration. The older brother complains,
regarding his brother as faithless, but the father responds;
Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry,
and be glad for this:
That thy brother was dead, and is alive again: And was lost, and is
found.
Luke 15:11-32
Today, this parable applies to men and women, young and old. Lost sheep need to be shown the way home.
The Eastern Orthodox Church celebrates this story
two weeks before the beginning of Great Lent with these words;
I have recklessly forgotten Your glory, Father: And among sinners I have scattered the riches You
gave to me.
And now I cry to You as the Prodigal: I have sinned before You, O merciful Father.
Receive me as a penitent and make me as one of Your hired servants. |
