There is a disturbing almost shocking message that clearly comes across, in most of the parables of Jesus. The message is this: it is better to be a sinner who repents than be a saint who thinks he does not need God.
In most of the parables of Jesus
there are two groups of people. What is
striking about the first group are their virtues. The Pharisee in the temple goes right up to
the altar, raises his hands, looks up to heaven and says a prayer of
thanksgiving. He, according to his own estimate, is not a thief, not an
adulterer, not a publican. He fasts twice a week, he is a man of prayer, he contributes
generously to the church. The elder son
in the parable of the Prodigal son is hardworking, obedient, chaste, poor and
home-bound. The workers in the vineyard are punctual, hardworking,
sacrificing and time tabled. Those who
received invitation to the wedding banquet are well known to the master, they
are friends of the master, they receive invitation well ahead of time. These
are the ‘yes’ sons.
Instead, the second group of
people are sinners, publicans, adulterers. They, as well as others, know their
sins and weaknesses. They are rebels, disobedient, wanderers, and wasteful loose -living. They are lazy, indisciplined, happy-go-lucky ones who live in lanes and slums,
with no gifts and least prepared to go to a wedding banquet. Invitation comes
to them suddenly and by chance. These are the ‘no’ sons.
The surprise is in the conclusion
of the parables. The Pharisee goes home satisfied while the sinner goes home
sanctified. The elder son is in the servant’s quarters, bitter and angry, while
the younger son is inside the house dancing and celebrating. The first comers
and hard workers go home grumbling and angry while the lazy and last comers return
whistling and happy. Those from the
lanes and slums are at the banqueting
table feasting and celebrating while the friends of the master
are outside, busy buying and selling. The
‘no’ son does what the father wants while ‘yes’ son does what he wants.
The message is clear in all these
parables. It is better to wander and come back and recognize the father than
stay at home and never know the father nor appreciate the beauty of a home. It
is better to bow your head and beat your breast in repentance at the entrance
door than walk up straight with pride right up to the altar, raise your hand and
praise yourself. It is better to come
late and work hard for an hour and be surprised at the generosity of the master
than work the whole day under the heat of the sun and fail to rejoice at the good fortunes of
others and becomes grumblers at the generosity of the master. It is better to
live in the lanes and by lanes and be surprised at the last minute invitation
and go happily to the wedding banquet than be friends of the master but have no
time or priority for his invitation. It is better to say no and repent and go to the vineyard than say
yes and not do what the father wants. It
is better to be the prodigal sons who come home than the ‘good brigades’ at the
servant’s quarters !
- - Fr T.V.George sdb
