Gospel Reflection - 4th Sunday of Lent, Year C


We have a popular parable from Jesus (and one of my favorites) in today’s Gospel. Many a homily, essay, book, etc. has focused on the Prodigal Son who requested his inheritance while his father was still alive, took his share, and spent it on frivolous vices. When the money ran out, he returned home in shame.

I would like to turn our focus towards the older son in this reflection. He is angry over the banquet celebrating his brother’s return. He had always done the right thing and never disobeyed his father. The older brother sees this banquet as a reward for his brother’s selfish actions and refuses to join the celebration. His hardness of heart toward his brother causes as much pain to his father as his younger brother’s leaving did. “The father only is good. He loves both sons. He runs out to meet both. He wants both to sit at his table and participate in his joy.… [God’s] love does not force itself on the beloved.” (from Henri J.M. Nouwen’s book, The Return of the Prodigal Son)

The banquet in this parable prefigures the Heavenly Banquet we will one day enjoy and the father is our Heavenly Father, welcoming us Home. God wants us all to sit at the table, but He will not force us to be there. He hurts each time we turn away from Him, but greatly rejoices when we return. And our return is cause for a great celebration in Heaven. As we read in Luke 15:7, “Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

How do you see yourself at the Heavenly Banquet? Will you refuse to join the celebration, like the older brother, when you see who else is there or will you share the table because the one who was dead in sin has repented and been given a seat at the table?

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