by J. Randal Matheny

A teacher explained the parable of the prodigal son to a group of children. Afterwards, he asked them to write a summary of the story. Here's what one child wrote:

"A man had two sons. The youngest wasn't happy at home, so one day he went far away, taking with him all the money he had. When this money was gone, the boy decided to return home, because he didn't even have anything to eat. When he was close to home, his father saw him and, very happy, grabbed a beautiful staff and ran to him. On the way he found the other son, the good son, who asked him where he was going in such a hurry with that staff. The father answered, 'That terrible brother of yours has returned. After everything he's done, he deserves a nice beating!' The son offered, 'You want me to help you, father?' The father answered, "Yes, I do!' So the two beat him up. At the end, the father called his servant and told him to kill the fattest calf to make a big feast, because finally they managed to fulfill their wish to punish that brainless and ungrateful son!"/1

Maybe the student was inattentive. Maybe his little mind was a bit twisted. Or maybe he just couldn't believe how good the story of the prodigal son really is. (You can read the story in Luke, chapter 15.)

Many of us can't believe it either. It sounds too good to be true.

We can identify with the student's revised version. But we have nothing in our experience with which to compare the original. Because God as Father has no equal.

A full pardon awaits the wayward son or daughter. An anxious Father watches day and night hoping to be able to extend complete forgiveness.

All we need to do is jump out of the pigpen and walk home.

Forget the prepared speech. The Father has been preparing his for a long time:

"All is forgiven!"

Can you believe that?

1/ A. Cencini, Viver Reconciliados: Aspectos Psicológicos (Paulinas, 1987), p. 89. My translation. The author wrote that it happened to a colleague of his.