4th Sunday of Lent [C]
March 27, 2022
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The parable of the prodigal is one of the most beautiful and heart-warming stories in the entire Bible. It is, in fact, the longest among Jesus’ parables and loaded with exciting details. While a great deal of the parable is given to the younger son, the story ends with the elder son. Many of us identify with the younger son. We used to live in the life of sin, far from God, and even become the enemies of God. Yet, we felt empty, and our lives go in the wrong direction. Then, going back to our senses, we repent and go back to the Lord. However, not a few identify themselves with the elder son.

Personally, I tend to be sympathetic to the elder son, perhaps because I am also the eldest in the family. I feel that the elder son’s anger is nothing but natural. I will be angry if my younger brothers ask for his inheritance and leave the family behind for a life of dissipation. I will be even more enraged when he suddenly comes back, and my parents will accept him as if nothing happens. At least, he must be disciplined and make reparations for what he has done. It is just and right!

Yet, after I go deeper into the story, I realize some critical details. The elder son is angry, and, in his wrath, he refuses to enter the home. Without realizing it, the elder son does what, the younger son did: leaving his house. Then, He says, “this son of yours!” He could have said, “Father, why do you treat my brother like this!” Without realizing it, the elder son does what the younger son did: distancing and disassociating himself from his father. Another interesting fact is that the elder son says, “I have been working like a slave for you.” Without realizing it, the elder son becomes what, the younger son has been: a slave.

Son though he is, he never considers himself as one, but rather a mere slave. We can see how the elder son only views his brother as another runaway slave and his father as an enslaver. A disobedient slave must be punished severely, and the loyal servant must be rewarded. Therefore, he is distraught. His paradigm is violated. He fails to see from his father’s perspective, and thus, he suffers.

From this story, we see a deeper meaning of metanoia or repentance. Metanoia [change of mind] does not simply mean turning from a life of sin to a life with God. It also means having the mind and heart of God. We are invited to think and act, no longer as slaves fearing punishment, but as mature children of God. Unfortunately, some of us are like the lost firstborn, who see ourselves as nothing more than servants, and we build our relationship with God based on fear, not love. We go to church because otherwise, we will go to hell. We serve because otherwise, we will be cursed. And we begin to see our neighbors as servants who have to follow the rules blindly; otherwise, they will be severely punished. Metanoia means no longer living in fear but as children of God living in love and freedom.

Valentinus Bayuhadi Ruseno, OP