Is there anybody who are willing to help me father the thousands of prodigals in Metro Manila, Philippines? I have no home of my own to shelter them, no hired servants to fix the homecoming prodigals. But I am still taking them to the church I could not afford to rent. I have no fatted calf to offer and modern band to celebrate. But I am happily making sacrifices as token of God’s goodness to me and my family.

I know what it feels to be hugged, kissed and embraced despite the dirt and foul smell. Because I happened to be one who was done the same thing, the night I was found drunk and laying on my vomit; when suddenly a man came to raised and brought me home, and cleaned me up. I was ashamed to discover that he was none whom I know, he was a stranger, and happened to be a newly assigned preacher to our town. I was ashamed, he was not even my blood father, brother or friend. But I was grateful!

I know what it feels to be cared by someone I do not know. I have been very grateful, and what he did transformed my life from a prodigal to a minister of the Gospel.

I was broken hearted to know that that preacher moved to Malaysia and was converted to a Muslim faith. I was told that it was because the Muslims of his place showed him much greater fatherly care and attention, than many of the professing Christians today, who enjoyed church events, if not debating each others doctrines. I’m saddened to have no contact with him.

In spite of this sad news, I determine to continue fathering souls for the kingdom of God. But I am so limited. Is there anyone I can go to? Anyone who can help me in my fathering ministry? I have asked God the same question. Writing this question is just an attempt whether God wants me to publish it through your Web Page.

Thank you for the article…

Areas that brought me new perspective:
1. TO THE PRODIGAL SON: What will you do to the unmerited favor of God after receiving it?
2. ELDER BROTHER: What will you do after realizing the good result your father has done to your younger brother?
3. TO THE FATHER: Will you continue to practice fatherly love and care should you know that this prodigal son was not your very own?

Again thanks. We would appreciate a courtesy reply to let us know your have read this comments.

Tony & Joy Gallemit
Manila, Philippines
1(240)252-6294

A tangential recommendation, given your interest in how the story would have been heard in its original context: you might be interested to look through Mark Allen Powell’s recent book, What Do They Hear?. Powell looks at the way social setting affects understanding of meaning in Biblical stories (the point of the book is how awareness of this fact should affect preaching). The Prodigal Son is one of the case studies that the author used, asking groups in America, Russia, and Tanzania what they took as the point of the story. The different aspects that each culture group focuses on are fascinating, and telling.

I am new to your site, but impressed by its depth. Citing Nouwen is unusual, and insightful.

I have meditated on this parable many times myself, and your ideas add to my own. I agree that a huge part of the Kingdom Jesus preached was community. I had not thought of the prodigal representing entering that community, but I think it’s an appropriate metaphor.

What strikes me about the prodigal is the irony, which Jesus often used. The irony of our faith is that turning from our selfish self to Christ, we find our true self, and find it more rewarding! The prodigal thought he would enjoy life more in the world of wine women and song, but ran out of money, and saw he actually had more at home in retrospect. I suspect it was more than survival instinct that led him home – he knew his father’s servants were better treated than he was, and I suspect the prodigal remembered that even the servants at his father’s house led enjoyable, satisfactory lives for their lot in life. Otherwise, he would not have returned.

The older son, on the other hand, did not experience the loss and pain the prodigal had experienced. While it is true the prodigal had a share of pleasure for awhile, I think he discovered the shallowness of pleasure for pleasure’s sake, while the older son had no knowledge of this. Perhaps the older son even had some jealousy of his younger brother’s experience.

Today, we are more often asked why we should bother attending church. As you mention, the prodigal is often used to speak to the individual, to urge a personal repentance. But a repentant person can still sit at home, watching their favorite preacher, never darken the doorway of a church, and feel satisfied. But the community of Christ is diminished!

We need to remember that it’s always better on our side of the fence – within the community of believers, who do not practice the selfish ways of our stupid natures, but gather together to share joy and love, and our lives. Many may feel like the older brother, secretly wishing to try the Turkish candy C.S. Lewis spoke about, not realizing how good we have it with our brothers and sisters.

As a believing community, it is our duty to be the father to those prodigals who visit us! When someone comes to worship with us, do we run after them, hug and kiss them, and celebrate? What kind of reaction would we get from that? It might be worth trying…!

Jeff

Awesome insights, Michael.