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We law students are typically thought of as having all of our ducks in a row. While I, for one, am usually thankful if I can at least get half of my ducks in the same room, it’s still easy to think I have everything figured out.
This reality was why John Nielsen led us to reflect on the story of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32) from the perspective of the son who stayed, the son who had all of his ducks in a row. It is pretty easy for us to imagine the position of the protagonist, the Prodigal Son, because we have all gone astray and been welcomed home by the Father’s mercy. John’s suggestion was a challenge. Of all the reflections and thoughts offered, two themes emerged:
First, relating to particular circumstances, it was clear that some of us have been challenged by the amounts of praise and attention going to those who “come home.” It was easy to acknowledge how pride stripes us of charity or instills us with jealousy. It can be difficult to sit back and not wish we were in the center of the Prodigal Son’s drama, that we were the one receiving praise or experiencing grandiose conversion. This jealousy and lack of charity must be surrendered and given to God; prayer is necessary. One participant observed that, in those times, we should be thankful we were able to remain with God and avoid the suffering that the other may have endured. We all have our own circumstances and ways that God calls us to holiness. The circumstances of our stories may be different, but our end is the same.
Second, this parable provides us with an opportunity for conversion if we find ourselves in the position of the son who stayed. It is easy to assume we know all there is to know about God, especially when we have had a real experience of His love and providence. When a circumstance poses a challenge to the idea we have formed, is everything we experienced before delegitimized, or are we actually given the chance to know more about God than we initially thought? A circumstance that does not jive with Who I think God is or should be (and, trust me, I have my ideas) should not contradict the reality I have experienced. Rather, it should provoke me to engage God more fully and reexamine my preconceptions. What a waste to walk away from what the second son previously experienced because he didn’t understand this aspect of his father’s mercy.
This reality was why John Nielsen led us to reflect on the story of the Prodigal Son (Lk 15:11-32) from the perspective of the son who stayed, the son who had all of his ducks in a row. It is pretty easy for us to imagine the position of the protagonist, the Prodigal Son, because we have all gone astray and been welcomed home by the Father’s mercy. John’s suggestion was a challenge. Of all the reflections and thoughts offered, two themes emerged:
First, relating to particular circumstances, it was clear that some of us have been challenged by the amounts of praise and attention going to those who “come home.” It was easy to acknowledge how pride stripes us of charity or instills us with jealousy. It can be difficult to sit back and not wish we were in the center of the Prodigal Son’s drama, that we were the one receiving praise or experiencing grandiose conversion. This jealousy and lack of charity must be surrendered and given to God; prayer is necessary. One participant observed that, in those times, we should be thankful we were able to remain with God and avoid the suffering that the other may have endured. We all have our own circumstances and ways that God calls us to holiness. The circumstances of our stories may be different, but our end is the same.
Second, this parable provides us with an opportunity for conversion if we find ourselves in the position of the son who stayed. It is easy to assume we know all there is to know about God, especially when we have had a real experience of His love and providence. When a circumstance poses a challenge to the idea we have formed, is everything we experienced before delegitimized, or are we actually given the chance to know more about God than we initially thought? A circumstance that does not jive with Who I think God is or should be (and, trust me, I have my ideas) should not contradict the reality I have experienced. Rather, it should provoke me to engage God more fully and reexamine my preconceptions. What a waste to walk away from what the second son previously experienced because he didn’t understand this aspect of his father’s mercy.
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