Many Parables, One Message.

In most of the parables of Jesus, there is a  sharp, focused, and disturbing message that comes across clearly.

In many of the parables, we see two groups of people. There is the first group for whom everything seems to go well. They are the close friends of the master, they work hard the whole day in the vineyard, they don’t wander from home, they are close to the altar and pray with uplifted hands. What is impressive about this first group is their virtues. They are hardworking, dedicated, chaste, sacrificing, obedient,  they say ’yes’ to their father’s request, and they are punctual. They are not thieves nor are they adulterers. Everything seems to go well with them.  They are held in high esteem by people. These could very well be considered candidates for Canonization!

There is a second group in most of the parables for whom everything seems to go wrong. They live in the lanes and by lanes, they are lazy and report for work at the eleventh hour, they wander far from home  wasting their father’s property, they come close to the church door but don’t enter in.  What is evident about this second group is their sins: They are disobedient, they rebel,  they wander, they are lazy, they are thieves, rogues and adulterers. Their friends, their families, the society know their sins and treat them with disdain.

What is shocking is the conclusion of these parables. The good ones turn out to be the grumblers, unhappy, resentful, jealous, angry, refusing to go inside the house while the rebellious, lazy, sinful ones    are celebrating at home, they are  happy and contented.

 The  rebellious son who wandered far from home is celebrating inside the house,  while the hardworking obedient elder son is in the servant’s quarters refusing to go in. The lazy ones who reported at the eleventh hour for work are going home whistling and singing while the hard working ones who worked the whole day under the sun, are bitter and angry at the generosity of the master. Those from the lanes and by lanes are in the banqueting hall celebrating, while the close friends of the master are outside busy with fields, bulls, and wives. The rebellious ’no’ son repents and does the father’s will, while the ‘yes’ son refuses to do what the father wants. The sinner near the door of the temple goes home sanctified while the Priest in the sanctuary goes home satisfied.

What message has these parables for us who are good Christians,  Religious or Priests? To which group do we belong? Do we consider ourselves hardworking, poor, chaste, obedient, staying close to the altar, presbytery bound, close friends of the master?  Or do we find ourselves lazy, disobedient, gone far from home, living in the lanes and by lanes, sinful, and in need of forgiveness?

These parables offer a message of hope and forgiveness to those who have wandered far. At the same time, it is a warning and a challenge to those who consider themselves ‘good’ and ‘holy’. It is better to be a sinner who repents than a ‘saint’ who counts his virtues and condemns others' failures. It is s better to live in the lanes and by lanes and accept the invitation and attend the wedding banquet than to be friends of the master and take his invitation for granted and be busy with buying,  accounting, building, and finding fault. It is better to say ‘no’ and repent and do the father’s will than be the ‘yes’ sons and daughters and never do what the father wants. It is better to wander and come back home and celebrate with the father than to be at home and never know the father. 

-        Fr TVGeorge sdb