But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.
Lk 15: 1-32
EXEGESIS
Telling parables is the favorite teaching method of Jesus. A parable is a story which challenges the hearers to change.
In today’s gospel there are three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. The lost son is popularly called the parable of the prodigal son.
What did Jesus see in the Scribes and Pharisees that need changing? First, they had no concern for sinners. They did not want to have to do anything with sinners. Second, they were self-righteous. They saw themselves as good people needing no conversion.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the eldest son was the scribes and Pharisees. In the parable of the lost sheep, why did Jesus say that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance? Because the 99 righteous people were self-righteous people like the scribes and Pharisees. In other words, why would God be happy with people who thought of themselves so highly as to think conversion is for others and not for themselves?
LESSON 1: HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH DIFFICULT CHILDREN OR ANY DIFFICULT PERSON FOR THAT MATTER?
St. Augustine was not born a saint. In fact, he led an immoral life and had even a son out of marriage. St. Monica prayed for him for many years. When was Augustine converted? When he was already 32 years old. Pray without discouragement.
St. John Bosco counseled the same thing about pupils. One day a Salesian went to Don Bosco about a pupil who was often misbehaving in class. Don Bosco replied with a question: “But have you been praying for your pupil? Pray for those who are giving you troublesome.
Strategy no. 1 – pray for the problematic person.
Again talking about young people, St. John Bosco said that in every young person there is something within him that will enable you to capture his good will. Discover that and you will be able to win him over. Once that is done he will listen to you. If a teacher has a student who does not study his lesson and if this teacher is able to win this student, will not this student listen to his teacher when his teacher encourages him to take his studies seriously?
Strategy no. 2 – Win over the problematic person.
When I was a principal, I had this rule: mean what you say; say what you mean. How did I implement it? I told the teachers not to allow the class to enter the classroom after the second bell unless they are quiet. And if they become noisy upon entering the class, the class should go out again. They should follow this rule always. I was teaching religion to 4 senior classes. There was a time that I had to ask one class to go out of the classroom three times because some of them started talking upon entering the classroom. I meant what I said and said what I meant and that’s why there was discipline.
Strategy no. 3 – Have reasonable rules. Consistently apply the reasonable rules. Apply reasonable punishment when rules are broken. In America they call this tough love.
LESSON 2: GOD IS GOOD
While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
Perhaps ever his son left the house, the father would look outside the window every day in the hope that on that day his son would return home. The son might not be at home. But he was always in his father’s heart.
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ What was the father’s response? But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
This means that the father was taking him back as his son not as his servant. Servants wore no sandals. The robe but especially the ring signified his dignity as son.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast.
Why a feast? “In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
When the eldest son arrived and asked what all the noise was about, he was told that his younger brother had returned. His father was giving a party to celebrate his younger brother’s return.
What was the reaction of the elder brother? He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house.
What did the father do? His father came out and pleaded with him.
What I’d like to point out is what the father did for both his sons. For the younger son the father went out of the house to welcome him. For the eldest son, the father also went out of the house to plead with him to join the celebration. Why did the father behave this way? Because he loved both his sons and wanted both of them to be with him.
The parable does not say whether the elder son finally went inside the house with his father or not. And I think I know the reason why. Remember that Jesus addressed his parables to his listeners. At this moment we are his listeners. Jesus left the parable hanging because he wants us to be the ones to provide the ending. In other words, Jesus is asking us: "Will you harden your heart and remain outside? Or will you finally say yes to God?"
The ending is ours to provide. What ending will you provide?
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The Salesians of Don Bosco is a religious congregation of priests and brothers dedicated to the welfare of the young. If you feel called by God to give your life for the good of the young, you may want help in discovering if this is really God's will for you. Please get in touch with the Vocation Director (Don Bosco North Province, Philippines) - 0917-7930112 - finvoc@yahoo.com - Bro. MON CALLO SDB.
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