The Gospel of Luke 15.11-32 presents the third of the parables told by Jesus to responding to the Pharisees and scribes who rebuked him for his hospitality and helpfulness toward "sinners" with whom even sit at the table (Matthew 15:1-2). The first two are respectively one of the "lost and found sheep" (vv. 4-7) and "money lost and found" (vv. 8-10).
The parable today proclaimed that the Father as the main character, is divided into two parts. The first concerns the "younger son" before "Lost" and then "found" (vv. 11-24) and the second speaks of the "eldest son" who has never moved from home and that, in truth, not is heard and acted as a true "son" (vv. 25-30). The vv. 31-32, finally, report the response of the Father, the eldest son, where we have the revelation of God's goodness towards all men, and with whom, Jesus the messenger of God, justifies his merciful attitude especially to the "lost" or "sinners".
The parable begins with the request of a minor child to have the share of property belonging to him on the basis of the provisions of the Law (see Leviticus 27.8 to 11, and numbers from 36.7 to 9) and His departure from home to "a far country" where it quickly runs out of his property leading a disorderly life (vv. 12-13).
I vv. 14-16 marks the sudden change of living conditions of young people who are out of necessity to take care of a herd of pigs. This is a matter prohibited by law and sign dell'abiezione deeper to a Jew.
The observation reported in v. 17 is crucial for the profound change of heart of the boy. Finally "returned" in spirit itself making its way back to the house of the Father and conveniently preparing a meeting with him, acknowledging his "sin" (vv. 17-19).
Hence the decision to return to actually from the Father (v. 20) which even got a great emotion to meet him and perform acts of "recognition" of the prodigal son as his "son" (hugs him and kisses him.) The overflowing love of the Father does not allow him even to open her mouth, in fact is manifested by signs of a generous reception: the best robe, ring, the sandals, the fatted calf that is full of food because the party is full (v. 22 -23).
Verse 24 shows the reasons for this: the son was "dead" is "alive again," the child who had "lost" has been "found" and returned love of the Father.
The second part describes the reaction of the "eldest son" once learned, mind you not from the Father, but by a servant, the reason for the feast (vv. 26-27). This time he is away from home without bothering to cause pain in the heart of the Father had to go out to meet him and even "to pray" (v. 28). His words say in truth that he has never really considered the "son" putting themselves in a relationship of "service" certainly not so obedient to formally affiliate with the Father. Relationship, as is the case, should be rewarded at least by a "kid."
The response of the Father wants to reassure the older son that her feelings for him are no less than those reserved for the wayward son and invited him to celebrate, to rejoice with him that he recovered a "son" to her love and himself a "brother."
Proclaimed on this Sunday that bridges the gap between the time after the Epiphany of the Lord and that of Lent, the parable of the good Father and two sons, both "Lost" will encourage everyone to undertake in the next season of Lent , a journey of conversion and decided to return to God
With his words and his actions Jesus has done with obvious clarity to understand that God the Father "is good and great love" (Chorus of the Responsorial Psalm) to all, without exception. There are no men or women as far away and even "lost" that God does not take forever in his heart, watching for an opportunity to attract them back to himself, to speak to their hearts (see Reading: Hosea 2:16) to so that they could now count among his children.
Moreover, as the Apostle says, God has already forgiven our sins, indeed meant that "the righteousness of the Law was fulfilled in us because our sin and all of them he has forgiven once "condemned sin in the flesh" that is in the person of His Son who became man in Jesus (cf. Epistle: Romans 8.3).
Such a powerful proclamation of God's truly amazing to be able to move in our hearts that the decision represented a reprieve for the lost son "I get up, go to my father" ( Luke 15:18). He awaits us around the Eucharistic table, where: "The angels are around the altar and Christ the hands of the holy bread and the cup of life for the forgiveness of sins" (The Communion antiphon) to "cleanse us from sins, to give force to our weakness and to guide us to the joy of the eternal kingdom "(Prayer after Communion) at her home.
(A. Wayne)
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