Grumpy Pharisees and Welcoming Sinners

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 be accepted into community with blessing and honour, and who was definitely cast out by God because the risk they posed to that community was too great. Jesus kept breaking their rules, blessing and accepting all the wrong people. In doing so he kept painting a picture of God’s grace, forgiveness and unconditional love which challenged all they knew and understood about God and faith and being the people of God. His pictures still don’t conform to our notions of repentance and forgiveness. God is still misbehaving. How does this story speak to our lives? What title would we like to give it?