The Anguish of the Elder Brother

Saturday, 2 March 2024. Readings: Micah 7:14-15,18-20, Ps. 103:1-4,9-12, Luke 15:1-3,11-32

“Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:31-32)

Today’s readings call for an examination of conscience:

1. Seeing Jesus amid sinners (tax collectors) looked scandalous to the holier-than-thou scribes and Pharisees, who believed religion was about giving others the impression of holiness. Jesus described them as white-washed tombs because they appeared saintly outwardly, but their hearts were corrupt. Instead of removing the log in their eyes (repenting from hypocrisy), they looked out for every possible way to paint Jesus bad. *When I consider the truth offensive, do I fight the preacher?*

2. In his defence, Jesus explained that He did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Cf. Luke 5:32). To drive home this point, Jesus gave the Parable of the Prodigal Son. While this parable concretely explains the infinite mercy of God, it also captures the position of the scribes and Pharisees in terms of the elder brother who shut himself out of the banquet (the kingdom of God) because he felt cheated. *Do I feel God is unfair in letting the sinners enjoy life? Have I stopped going to church because I feel that church is full of evil people and hypocrites?*

3. Recently, social media went agog with the raining of curses on those who contributed to bringing this present administration. Christians, Muslims and African Traditional Religion adherents have become united in petitioning God to knock down those who brought about (and continue to sustain) the present economic hardship and untold suffering. *Am I one of those proclaiming curses? Does it surprise me that the curses are not working?* (Cf. Ezekiel 18:23 – God does not delight in the death of the wicked).

4. After squandering his share of his Father’s inheritance, it dawned on the prodigal son that death is the only reward of sin (living outside of God’s rules and instructions). (Cf. Romans 6:23). We must praise the Prodigal Son for coming to his senses, preaching to himself and resolving to return to his Father. Some people prefer to die in their shame than to take steps back to God. *Do I feel that it is too late for me? Have I stayed away from the sacraments for so long that I now believe I have become God’s enemy?* No matter what your past has been, as Micah says today, God will forgive your sin (Cf. Micah 7:18-20). The only time God will not forgive is when we refuse to ask for forgiveness. This is known as despair (the belief that God cannot forgive).

5. The Prodigal son expressed contrition; he was willing to be treated as a slave because he understood the gravity of his sin. He did not seek to shift blame on anyone else like Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve never asked for forgiveness because they felt justified in their sin. They blamed God for putting the tree in the first place and for creating the serpent. *When I go for confession, do I acknowledge my faults? Do I shift the blame on others or God for creating me with bodily desires (cravings and passions)? On the other hand, am I sorry for my sins, or do I take pride in them?* God’s mercy knows no bounds, but unless we are sorry for our sins and see our faults, we cannot repent.

6. The Father heard that the elder brother was outside. The father could have ignored him, but this would mean losing another son. Just as the Father was merciful to the prodigal son, he showed mercy to the elder brother by stepping out of the banquet to reason with him. *What kind of a parent am I? Do I pitch my children against themselves by indirectly (or directly) showing preference?* Joseph’s brothers hated him because Israel, their father, loved him more than the other children, and he did not hide it. *When one of my children is not doing well (or goes astray), do I fuel their anger by taunting them with the successes of the other children? Do I reach out to them in love?*

Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may I never be tired of asking for your mercy. Help me to be an instrument of your mercy to others. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent. Bible Study: Micah 7:14-15,18-20, Ps. 103:1-4,9-12, Luke 15:1-3,11-32).

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu