I still owe my middle child one more entry that is supposed to be posted today. However, just arriving from church today, I felt the urge to first share with you the following reflections (written by Fr. Apolinar A. Castor, Jr. , SSP), which I lifted from the “Sambuhay” missalette, prepared by the Pastoral Ministry of the Priests and Brothers of the Society of St. Paul.
I do hear mass, but I am not a very religious person per sé. I don’t belong to any church organization at the moment, though in the past, (1992-1996) my husband and I were active members of the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals (BCBP). But we became inactive since 1997 because of conflicts in family responsibilities and work schedules with prayer assemblies and cell group meetings. Anyhow, the BCBP does not close its doors to its old, on leave members. In fact, it adheres to the policy of: “Once a BCBP member, always a BCBP member”. Therefore we still get invites on charter anniversaries and other special occasions and we can always activate our membership anytime we wish.
Anyway, this Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. I heard mass with my daughter whose choir, Filipino Chinese Catholic Youth (FCCY) was assigned to sing for the 8:00 morning mass. The Gospel reading talked of Luke 15:13, 11-32, on the Prodigal Son. Apparently, this is one of the more popular parables of Jesus, and is often given as example to illustrate how far a father/parent can go to forgive an erring child. The following reflection however not only gives emphasis on a father’s forgiving heart, but rather digs as well on the sincerity of the son in asking forgiveness from his father.
Sinners at the Father’s Banquet
The younger son’s words, “I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you,” are often used to speak of conversion as the return to the Father.
The words may indeed suggest the turning point of conversion. But does the young man speak them out of true sorrow for the wrong done? The sacrament of Reconciliation requires contrition and firm resolution of amendment. Forgiveness comes with a penance to be fulfilled.
The son’s decision to return home is the result of at least three things: embarrassment (he is a Jewish boy feeding pigs – a very non-kosher work), hunger (he is so hungry that he will eat the garbage fed to the pigs, but no one offers him even that), and calculation (he asks to be taken back as a hired hand, but he figures he will not have to feed pigs, will have a room of his own, and will eat three square meals a day). His intentions are certainly far from noble, selfless, or contrite. It is a matter of self-preservation, rather than of contrition.
The son’s motives, however, do not matter to the father. Jesus’ story, though often called the parable of the prodigal (or lost) son, is more about the father than about either of the sons. The father is the main character in the story. And, as Fr. Austin Fleming puts it, “the father doesnt care WHY the son came home: the father only cares THAT his son came home. The father was not looking for his son’s confession or contrition. The father was only looking for – his son!”
It is bad enough that the younger son asks for his inheritance before his father dies: it is like saying, “As far as I’m concerned, Dad, you’re dead.” Losing the inheritance (a gift from God) to people who are not Jews is even worse. Working with igs means that the son is no longer a Jew. He shames and rejects his father, his people, and his God. The father thus runs not so much to welcome his son as to shield him from hostile villagers who consider the son worthy of death. He then orders a welcome celebration.
“Judaism and Christianity have clear provisions for the restoration of a penitent returne,” notes Rev. David Martyn, “but where does it say that such provisions include a banquet with music and dancing? Yes, let the prodigal return, but to bread and water, not a fatted calf; in sackcloth, not a new robe; wearing ashes, not a new ring; in tears, not a in merriment; kneeling, not dancing. Has the party canceled the seriousness of sin and repentance?”
The parable, however, does not deal with this question. Again, the story is about the father who not only has two sons but loves two sons. To the feast are invited both the wasteful, ungrateful, devious son and his jealous, angry, and stubborn elder brother. Because of our competitive spirit, we think that there must be losers if there are winners: it’s either Jews or Gentiles, poor or rich, saint or sinner, publica or Pharisee, older son or younger son.
God’s love, instead, is not either… or. God’s love is both… and. The embrace of the younger son does not mean the rejection of the older; the love of tax collectors and sinners does not negate the love of Pharisees and scribes.
To the table of the Eucharist, we are all invited. In many and differing ways, we are all wasteful sons and daughters, all older brothers and sisters, all sinners looking for a place at our Father’s table… the Father who runs to us with open arms.. the Father who welcomes us all, expecting not our confession or contrition but only us, his children. – Fr. Apolinar A. Castor, Jr., SSP
I just can’t rest with these questions: Why did the father have to welcome his son with a banquet? Is it not that a forgiving father should instead teach his child about the contrition so that such child would learn the lesson of his mistake and thereby not go astray again? Is it not that when you forgive a child and not make him realize the wrong he did, you are not actually helping him but you are instead tolerating his misdeeds?
I don’t question the Bible. I am just confused about the varied interpretations from people of authority and lay people.
Personally, I don’t believe that the father indeed literally threw a banquet in welcoming back his son. For me, the banquet is just a representation, a symbol of his open hearted forgiveness of his son. It also stands for the happiness and joy felt by the father for the return of his lost child. It is not a real banquet per sé, but a celebration of joy and a rejoicing of the father’s heart for at last, his prodigal son has come home.
But of course, what is talked about here is not ordinary love, nor humanly love – but God’s love.
I don’t mean to sound skeptical. I only speak my view.
Therein lies the danger in taking the bible too literally. And that’s the reason why, I’m always uncomfortable with people who quote from the bible everytime they want to prove a point. But that’s just me…
Hope you’re having a nice weekend, Rhodora.
Hi, Snglguy! Yeah, me too – I veer away from discussions when people start saying.. according to Genesis…. Nakakaasiwa!
Hope you are enjoying your Sunday as well!
ako naman , though hindi ako religious na tao yung bible pa rin ang nagpapalakas ng loob ko as a person, yun nga lang madalas din naiisip ko bakit kung kailan lang ako may kailangan saka ako lumalapit at nagbabasa
Being a father I understand his reaction. I would probably also throw a banquet for a lost son.
As of God’s love for the people I am not so sure about this anymore. I probably saw too much misery in my life.
The day I understand why a young child must die in pain of hunger, cancer (or any other illness ) I might change my viewpoint about God’s love.
Ganyan yata talaga, naiisipan lang natin ang lumapit kapag may hihilingin. Pero hindi naman nagrereklamo ang Diyos..
Oh, Sidney… I too question God’s love sometimes, though that does not diminish my faith… But I respect your opinion, my friend….
We all ought to have our own perceptions when it comes to certain things so that we’d able to judge what is right and what is wrong.
The bible, both the old and new were written hundred of years ago, and maybe relevant during those times, but at present I keep an open mind as to the messages on them.
For a father’s love to his sons and daughters, it’s above the act of forgiveness. I’m not a father, but I had seen how our father would do everything possible for the love of his children, irregardless of our dispositions.
As Sidney said, I guess I would do the same.
My crazy point of view is that the action is more of admittance of the father’s guilt that somehow he was part of why his son went astray. I am not saying that God’s love is defective but again, how can the people in authority answer Sidney’s point about those sufferings.
May God bless us all.
I personally believe, the banquet was a parable. Take for example deut. 18:18 “….I will put my words in his mouth”
But yes, some people look for refuge when stuck in misfortunes and sufferings. After they pass, they are back to usual business. How sad.
Hi Rhodora,
I’a a catholic too and the parable of the prodigal son holds a special place in my heart. let’s just say that I’ve been in that situation before. hehehe… But really, to forgive and be forgiven is a very glorious thing.
Thanks for dropping by.
yeah…it’s pretty inconsistent..the bible and the teachings I mean. The parable shows us the God (the father) is love and if the son (we…humanbeings) sinned, he’ll always welcome us back with a “banquet”. If that’s the case, then bakit may hell? Kung God is love then he wouldn’t punish na. If God is God in the parable then kahit magkamali patatawarin. But then again they’re also saying that as long as you ask for forgiveness you’ll be forgiven no matter how terrible your sins are…
Also they say God is the only one capable of unconditional love. Kung unconditional then wala mapupunta sa impyerno kasi kahit nagkakasala dahil mahal nya…patatawarin nya.
errrr..baka tamaan ako ng kidlat dito sa mga pinagsasabi ko lolz
I did not attend any mass last year.
verns,
Sadly, some people too twist the argument you presented and so they say, “Ok let’s sin today, and ask forgiveness tomorrow” then the cycle continues.
I guess that has something to do with people who only worship because of fear of something or because of hope for something good. Some people worship because they love worshiping and they love God, irregardless of punishment and rewards
You’re right Rhodora, The Prodigal Son is one of the most evocative parable of the Lord Christ and I have read it and even saw a cartoon story of it over and over again. It’s a very beautiful story in a way that it shows the great space for repentance and forgiveness that God allow us; and we become hopeful for that; even if we become too sinful. I always believe that the heart–especially of the father—is always open for reconsideration as long as enough repentance can be shown.
I think the parable simply tells the story of what UNCONDITIONAL love really means. When people preach about God’s unconditional love, this story is one that could be comprehended by anyone.
The lost son had suffered tremendously and if I remember he even ate food that we fed to the hogs at the height of his poverty. In the end, he swallowed his pride and went home to his father. Herein lies again the analogy of people coming back to God with the earnest desire to ask for forgiveness and mend a broken relationship which God gladly receives.
This has a great theological significance to Evangelical Christianity because it is one of their core tenets, that there is no such thing as damnation or hell if you have acquired the previlege of being a child of God. It is a clear contrast with Catholicism whose main condition for salvation is through meritocracy meaning that avoiding sin and good works account for the most part your ticket for getting to heaven. Evangelicals argue that sinlessness is impossible to attain because of man’s sinful nature.
It is interesting how these contrasting theologies which appear to be polar opposites hence totally divergent are still deemed to fall under the umbrella of Christianity .
i guess the prodigal son have already suffered the consequences and learned a painful lessons even before he returned to his father. his father prepared a banquet maybe because he seen a remorse from his son.
Yes, Kyels – each to his or her own opinion…
Vic, I’d say that what is written in the Bible applies to present times in the way they should, according to the situation. No literal interpretations.
A parent’s love is unconditional like that of God’s. But then, I believe, to forgive is also to make the erring person understand the wrong he did, and atone for it as well.
Myepinoy, I can’t blame you either. I too sometimes have questions about people suffering, and why God allows such.
Yes, Dimaks – that is why, it is important that when a person sins and asks for forgiveness, he should make a firm resolve not to sin again, or at least, resist sinning.
Major Tom, truly – repentance is the proof that indeed one is sorry for his/her sin.
Rey, thank God you’re back on track….
Verns, Hala ka! hehehe.. But you know what – the more we question, the more it becomes confusing, di ba? Kaya kung minsan, I don’t want to delve deeper anymore.
It’s okay, Richmond.. to attend mass is a personal decision.
You said it, BW! UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! But I believe even in unconditional love, we should forgive, but at the same time make known to the erring person that he must not do the same mistake or sin again.
You know what – I feel sorry that there are people who condemn other religions. They talk like – if you don’t belong to their church, you will not be saved and that they are the only chosen ones..
I don’t believe it is religion that saves a person, or that it serves as ticket to the kingdom of God. I believe it is faith in God per sé that would bring us to that place.
Iskoo – I agree that it can be viewed from that angle too.
I agree.. if a religion is indeed universal, it does not have to come to single out everyone.. it is dynamic and can cater people from all walks of life, even people from other religions. And its true believers do not look at other religion through the products human acts but rather at the authentic teachings, sources and reasoning
that is FAITH, believing, not what other people tell us but what we believe in our hearts. the bible can be interpreted in many ways, other people use their own interpretation to suit their own ways, even their bad ways. it can be misinterpreted, but it can also be used in good measure. as to what i see around me, i do not question (ma-confuse lang ako) what i do is just try to be a good upright person as i can be.