A Weekly Bible Study

4th  Sunday of Lent
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Are we blind to sin?

We have often heard today’s parable referred to as “The Prodigal Son,” the “Forgiving Father” or the “Jealous Brother.” We have sometimes even assumed certain of these same roles in our own lives.  How easily we identify with a wayward child being welcomed by a forgiving father, or a jealous brother being chastised by a loving parent. But there are other significant characters in this story that we often overlook. Perhaps we are so familiar with the story itself that we miss the invitation!

Even before Jesus begins to relate the details of the parable, Luke tells us that the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus.  He also notes that the Pharisees and scribes were present, complaining once again that Jesus associated with sinners.

Did they not recognize their own sinfulness?  If we read closely, it was to these pious religious leaders of his time that Jesus addressed today's parable. It was to them that Jesus issued the invitation to conversion, not (primarily) the "sinners" in the crowd. The actions of the older brother perhaps mirror the attitude of the Pharisees and the scribes, who cannot rejoice over God's incredible mercy toward sinners, probably because they do not consider themselves to be sinners.

In this parable, we never really find out if the brother came to the celebratory banquet.  Did he reject or accept the invitation?  Did any of the scribes and Pharisees accept the invitation? And we, in our own blindness to sin, will we accept or reject our loving Father’s invitation to become whole?

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.