Don't Forget to Count

There is an ancient tradition, when someone is newly-confirmed and still kneeling before the bishop. The bishop slaps them, carefully but with force, while saying "Peace be with you." This physical discomfort combined with a wish for peace is an intentional pairing of opposites. The confirmand is now living in the fullness of adult Christian responsibility. The slap reminds them that this life will not be easy and may require uncomfortable sacrifices. The words remind them that, even in the midst of great trials, they live in the peace of Christ which cannot be taken from them. This is an important lesson about the challenges of Christian life and the often complicated blessings that we must navigate in it.

This parable of the Prodigal Son is the third in a series that Jesus tells to a crowd of tax collectors, other sinners, and Pharisees. He begins with the parable of the lost sheep and then the parable of the lost coin before arriving at this story of a lost son, regained by his family. Judged by the standards of modern story-telling, this is probably the least satisfying of the three parables. It raises questions that go unanswered and leaves quite a few threads hanging when it concludes.

Of course, parables are not meant to satisfy our assumptions about proper story structure. These are stories meant to encourage their listeners to reflect on the nature of God, humanity's relationship with its maker, and often include elements of social critique as they do so. These are not stories with simple one-to-one allegories. They require that we sit with them and wrestle with the uncomfortable and strange truths they offer.

There are many commentaries and sermons that paint this parable in antisemitic terms, looking for dishonour, sin, wrath, judgement, and legalism where none is described by Jesus. The actions of both father and sons may be difficult for us to understand, but they are not problematic in light of Jewish texts and traditions of this era.

For more on this subject, see the excellent commentary on Luke by Amy Jill-Levine and Ben Witherington III in the New Cambridge Bible Commentary series.

This parable offers beautiful revelations about generosity, both in the father giving the younger son his inheritance early and in his overwhelming joy in receiving that same son back into the household after spending away all that he had. The value of joy is revealed here as the father rejoices over a son who was as good as dead and has now been returned to life. The power of hope and necessity of humility are shown in the younger son who, for his survival, must return to his father's household with little to show for his time away.

Once the fatted calf is killed and the party begins in earnest, this parable begins to reveal some more difficult truths. The older son, who has remained at home and worked faithfully with his father all these years, is forgotten in the field. It is a slave who tells him what has come to pass and the elder son feels hurt and taken for granted. After all, not only has his father never laid on a party for him, but he did not even think to tell him about the one for his profligate younger brother. In the midst of his joy and generosity, the father has forgotten to count all of his blessings.

There is a heated exchange as the older brother refuses to join the party and points out to his father the ways he has been hurt and feels wronged. The father tries to comfort* him, reminding him that they are always together and that the older son will inherit everything that the father has. He describes the celebration as necessary because the younger son "was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found." (Luke 15:32)

We can see that, while it is true that the older brother will inherit his father's estate and will be able to treat his younger brother as he sees fit, this oversight on the father's part has caused great hurt. This fresh wound remains open at the close of the parable. We are not told what the relationship between the father and his older son or the relationship between the two brothers is like following this incident. Unlike with the lost sheep and lost coin, the rejoicing over the son returned is tinged with this hurt and sadness between the father and his older son. And there the story ends, on a most uncomfortable note.

Through these Sundays in Lent, we have been reflecting on what it means to prepare for baptism or, for those who have already died and risen in Christ, a renewal of our baptismal promises. This parable is worth much prayer and reflection for those of us on that journey.

There are the truths it reveals about generosity, in giving the younger son his inheritance before it is due; about our responsibility and capacity to get ourselves into trouble when the younger son spends himself into poverty; about humility as the younger son must return to his family and community knowing there will be judgement; about the importance of joy at blessings shown in the father's prodigious hospitality and celebration at the return of his son; about our capacity to hurt those we love without intention, through absent-mindedness and a too-comfortable familiarity.

This parable, on this Sunday of joy in the midst of Lent, as we prepare to approach the baptismal font, seems to me another of these complicated gifts that God so often gives. It is a parable brimming with generosity, hope, and joy. It is also full of loss, hurt, and the beginning of the long, hard work of repentance and repair. Like the slap at confirmation and its gift of peace, this parable requires work from us and, though perhaps uncomfortable, it is good news. Thanks be to God. Amen.