I.
We know this story by its usual name, “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.”

How well does that fit the story?

Does it do justice to who is presented? To what each experiences? To Jesus’ intent in telling the story? Do we know Jesus’ intent? For that matter, do you think, everyone hears it the same way or maybe we hear what we think is there?

Take time to soak in the story. Notice each person. Notice what they say or maybe imply? Notice how you feel about them.

II.
Luke 15:11-32 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

III.
What title do you think best describes the parable?

• The Prodigal Son
• The Prodigal Father
• The Parable of the Two Brothers
• The Account of the Two Journeys
• You Can’t Go Home Again
• Home Is Where When You Come to the Door, They Have to Take You In
• Home is a Far-Country

What do you suggest?

Who do you have the most sympathy for in the story? And the least sympathy?

Do you identify with one character more than another?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}