Today was our penultimate discussion of The Prodigal God. (I always look for opportunities to use that word ever since I learned it. So much classier that next to last.) We were discussing chapters 6 and 7, but we really focused in on home. We had a report from our mission team who worked on making a home for Margaret, a victim of the Joplin tornado, so it seemed very appropriate. Both of the sons in the parable were seeking home, we humans always seem to long for home, but how do you define home?
I was particularly intrigued by Keller's assertion on page 101, "If we read the narrative in light of the Bible's sweeping theme of exile and homecoming we will understand that Jesus has given us more than a moving account of individual redemption. He has retold the story of the whole human race, and promised nothing less than hope for the world." His argument is that we were created to live in the garden of Eden with God, but we are separated from God by the brokenness within us and around us. We can try with all our might to recreate home, but all we will find are exiles and returns, much like we see in the history of Israel in the Bible. Only the final reconciliation with God, when we return to live in the shade of the Tree of Life, will fill the need for home that exists in all of us.
Well, that was the story for the younger son in the parable, but not the elder son. At least, that was not his story at the end of the parable. What made home for the sons? Clearly the sons each "felt" home differently. The younger son was happy to be an employee, as long as he was with his father and family. And he was happy to accept the father's unqualified invitation. The elder son found home in possessions, and maybe that is why he couldn't go in to the party. He couldn't accept the invitation because it would mean giving up too much of this world. It did not fit his definition of home. What makes home for you? Our discussion focused on good memories of safety, comfort, love, people, relationships. Our images and feelings were pretty homogenous. But what about those who don't have that experience? What about people who have never known love without abuse, never felt safe, never lived in comfort? What kind of home do they long for?
As Christians our ultimate home is with God. There is a homing beacon built into us that makes us long for that return. It is comforting and hopeful to know that God accepts each of us, with our own unique understanding of home. God is waiting for us all, we just need to accept the invitation. For me, I think the lesson is to remember that sometimes I define that return very narrowly, within the scope of my own personal experience. If we are to incarnate God for one another, until that final return home, I need to keep the circle open and remember that we are all in equal need of God's grace. (Sigh) Some days it is so hard to guard against becoming an elder brother...
And then I opened my FB page to find this quote from Paulo Coehlo:
"Today don’t beg, don’t ask, just thank God in silence for all the blessings in your life.”
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