INTRODUCTION
Reconciliation is hard work. When our brains are in fight-flight mode, re-connecting with our relationships can sometimes feel impossible. This is one among many ancient stories about the human experience of reconciliation.
(Recommended story to pair: The Valley of Dry Bones)
Reconciliation is hard work. When our brains are in fight-flight mode, re-connecting with our relationships can sometimes feel impossible. This is one among many ancient stories about the human experience of reconciliation.
(Recommended story to pair: The Valley of Dry Bones)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
(a story from the gospels adapted for Living Stories)
(a story from the gospels adapted for Living Stories)
A certain man had two sons. The younger son said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the inheritance."
Then the father divided his estate between them. Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.
When he had used up all of the money he inherited, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. He ended up working for the common people in that land, who sent him to the fields to feed their pigs.
Then the father divided his estate between them. Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.
When he had used up all of the money he inherited, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. He ended up working for the common people in that land, who sent him to the fields to feed their pigs.
He was at his lowest. He longed to eat the food that the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, "My father’s servants have more food to eat than I do, but I’m here starving to death! I’ll return to my father, and hopefully he’ll take me and hire me even though I don’t deserve to be his son."
So he got up and went home to his father.
While he was still walking at a distance, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.
Then his son said, "Father, I have done so much wrong against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son."
So he got up and went home to his father.
While he was still walking at a distance, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him.
Then his son said, "Father, I have done so much wrong against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son."
But the father said to his servants, "Quickly, bring out the best clothes for him! Bring out lots of food! We must celebrate and feast because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!"
And they began to celebrate.
Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. There was a party. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant replied, "Your brother has arrived, and your father brought out lots of food to celebrate because he received his son back safe and sound."
And they began to celebrate.
Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. There was a party. He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant replied, "Your brother has arrived, and your father brought out lots of food to celebrate because he received his son back safe and sound."
Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to join the party. His father came out and begged him to come.
He answered his father,
"Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed you. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate and wasting it, you prepare a huge feast?!"
Then his father said, "Oh my son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found."
He answered his father,
"Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed you. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate and wasting it, you prepare a huge feast?!"
Then his father said, "Oh my son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found."
WONDERING QUESTIONS:
- What resonated with you about this story? What you found most important in this parable?
- Notice if there's anything in your life that come close to something like this.
- Where you are in this story? Which part of this story is about you?
- Can you empathize with the son, feeling lost & hoping to seek forgiveness from the person he hurt? Are you open to receive unconditional love and forgiveness?
- Have you felt anger or resentment just like the older son?
- Can you relate with the father who loves his two children unconditionally?
