The older brother of the prodigal son

The priest at mass yesterday was interesting. In his sermon, he managed to mention how he was almost 70 and my mind couldn't help but wonder what his health regimen must be. He had a brisk spring in his walk, spoke clearly and quickly and was ever so witty and ready to break into a dance.

But that wasn't all I took from church yesterday.

The Gospel was on the Parable of the prodigal son. We all know the story - the younger son insisted on getting his inheritance, went to a far off country, squandered the money on women and a frivolous life, got broke, went to work teending to pigs, got to his senses and decided to go back to his father's house, his father took him back with open arms and a feast. That story ALWAYS reminds me that my sins will ALWAYS be forgiven as long as I go back to 'My Father'. I understood the position of the younger son and being a helpless sinner, that parable is dear to my heart.

But for the first time in my Christian life, the sermon made me consider the position of the Older son. He never asked for anything, he always stayed close to the father and did exactly as the father willed. He never strayed. When he came home to see a feast in honour of his prodigal brother, he was angry.

I put myself in that position and words can't even begin to describe the hurt, anger and betrayal I imagine I would feel.

As the parable goes on, we see the father coming out to appeal to his son and explain to him that it is important to celebrate that the younger son, who was lost, is now home.

I thought about how hard it would be for me. At that point when I feel cheated and betrayed, would I be able to consider that the person who should be ridiculed for doing so many distasteful things, should instead be celebrated for finding his way back home?

I don't know for sure but I think that, beyond the remorse and forgiveness from The Father that the parable teaches, there is a deep lesson we are all to take away from the Older brother. Sometimes, things won't make sense and we will be right to feel cheated and betrayed but at that point, we need to hear the Father, asking us to rejoice that the lost ones have come home.

Not an easy thought I tell you, but it's worth a try, yes?