The Parable of the Undignified Father and his Outrageous Sons

When we read our bibles, it is important to remember that the headings provided for each of the stories were not part of what was originally written. They have been added much later by some publishers. And they differ between publishers. The story of the lost sons is a good example of this. For the gospel reading for the 4^th Sunday in Lent, Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32, some versions of the bible have no titles, and others include them. This 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.

As we struggle on with living with Covid and what that has done to our world and our lives, how does this story speak to us? What title would we like to give it? How does it help us embrace life this Lent?