ANOTHER STORY

Now the man in the centre of the group, whose name is Jesus Christ, is telling another story. It is one of the most truly human stories ever told, for it is often the story of each of us.

“There was a certain man who had two sons. And the younger of these said to his father, `Father give me that share of the estate which falls to me’. So he divided his property between them. Not many days afterwards, the younger son put together all that he had and went on his travels to a far country, where he wasted his fortune in riotous living.

 “Then, when all was spent, a great famine arose in that country, and he found himself in want; whereupon he went and attached himself to a citizen of that country, who put him on his farm, to feed pigs. He would have been glad to fill his belly with husks, such as the pigs used to eat; but none was ready to give them to him.

 “Then he came to himself, and he said, How many hired servants here are in my father’s house, who have more bread than they can eat, and here am I perishing with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you. I am not worthy, now, to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants. And he arose and went on his way to his father.

 “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him, and took pity on him. Running up, he threw his arms round his neck and kissed him. And when the son said, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am not worthy, now, to be called your son, the father gave orders to his servants, “Bring out the best robe, and clothe him in it; put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. Then bring out the calf that has been fattened, and kill it; let us eat, and make merry, for my son here was dead, and has come to life again, was lost, and is found. And so they began their merry-making.

 “The elder son, meanwhile, was away on the farm; and on this way home, as he drew near the house, he heard music and dancing; whereupon he called one of the servants and asked what all this meant. He told him, Your brother has come back, and your father has killed the fattened calf, glad to have him restored safe and sound.

“At this he fell into a rage, and would not go in. When his father came out and tried to win him over, he answered his father thus. Think how many years I have lived as your servant, never transgressing your commands, and you have never made me a present of a kid, to be merry with my friends: and now, when this son of yours has come home, one that has swallowed up his patrimony in the company of harlots, you have killed the fattened calf in his honour. He said to him, My son, you are always at my side, and everything that I have is already yours, but for this merry-making and rejoicing there was good reason: your brother here was dead, and has come to life again, was lost and is found.” (Luke 15, 11-32)

MY OWN STORY

When the younger son had squandered his fortune and his `friends’ had left him because they could get nothing more from him, he found himself completely alone. That terrible feeling of being alone is the experience of everyone who has done wrong. And who of us would try to say he has never done what is evil?