The titles for stories in the bible are not part of what was originally written. They were added much later by some publishers. Today some versions of the bible have no titles, and others include them. This week’s gospel reading is commonly known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son – the title given by the KJV. Other versions of the bible have other names including The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother, The Lost (Prodigal) Son and the Dutiful Son, and The Parable of the Lost Sons. Each title shapes how we read this story and how we understand it. They are both helpful and misleading. Another title given to this story by one commentator is “The Undesirable Son” which begs the question which son is the undesirable one? Another title I like is “A Prodigal Son, An Undignified Dad”. This parable is the third of three stories (lost coin, lost sheep) told because the rule keepers for the community (Pharisees) were unhappy at how Jesus was breaking the clear rules about who was to ...