Reflections from July 15, 2010

Today we read of three parables, one of which is the parable of the prodigal son. This story shows how God looks to each of us as a person, and looks at us with compassion, not as a possession. Luke writes of the joy the Father has with the return of a lost son where we read in Luke 15:31-32 what the father says to his other son about the return of the younger, "Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found."

As shown here in Batoni's painting, the father is filled with compassion for the return of his son. But, scripture points out that his older brother was filled with anger at the response of his father; killing a calf, and throwing a party! After what he did?!

We must be careful that we don't have this same attitude, one of anger or jealousy that someone new to God, or repentful and returning to God, is receiving more attention than us. We should take comfort in knowing that God never forgets who His children are and has great treasures stored up for us. We should take as a challenge to maintain a proper perspective; the perspective of compassion and mercy that is at the heart of the Father.