CONVERSATION WITH THE OTHER SON

Yesterday's gospel is about the Prodigal Son.  You know how it goes - rebellious son makes an advance claim on his inheritance, squanders it in a foreign land, comes home and ask forgiveness, Dad throws a party.  What the parable does NOT say is that, amidst all the fanfare, the prodigal son wanted so badly to leave the crowd and talk to the one whom everyone else had forgotten – the other son.  The one who remained faithful.  The one who stayed behind.  He wanted so much to tell him of the regret.  Of the scars that will never go away.  Of the wasted time that is forever lost.  This post is about the brother-to-brother conversation that never happened but should have.  Words of love from the prodigal one, spoken from the heart, to the other son.

1.  Appreciating that you have everything is difficult unless you've experienced having nothing.  I get it.  Father may have said "Everything I have is yours".  But you couldn't see it.  I know why.  I, too, was blind to the riches of my Father.  Until I had to get on all fours, just to share a meal in the mud.  The three little pigs are overrated – they are actually smelly, noisy and have no table manners.  And in that pig sty, when I had been reduced to nothing, that was my moment of epiphany.  Life with Dad is heaven (literally) compared to this.  With Him I had everything.  Dear brother, open your eyes to all that Father has given you.  Hop on a camel and take a tour of his granaries, pastures and hordes of gold.  Bring a lot of water for the trip, as it will be a long one.  Mark my word, halfway through the tour, you will return home and tell yourself that indeed, Father CAN give you everything.  Just ask.


2.   Envy the home, not the homecoming.  You think that being away from Dad is cool?  Just look where I ended up.  Sure, the pictures I uploaded showed me having the time of my life.  But that's all they were - pictures.  None of them showed the secret ache in my heart to go back home.  You envy me now, brother?  But this is just a party.  Would you still envy me if I told you that nothing in this world would ever give me back those years I spent away from you?  Would you still envy me if I showed you the scars from the beating of my cruel masters, and they will forever remind me of the pain?  Would you still envy me if I told you that I am haunted by memories of a past I cannot change?  Envy me not, brother.  This homecoming? It's just a party.  But Father's word to you that "You are with me always"?  I would give everything I have just to hear Him say those words to me.  But those words are forever yours and yours alone, and only because, you decided to just stay home.


3.  Celebrate.  You didn't think I heard you grumbling, did you?  About being the obedient one and yet not even a goat was roasted for you and your friends?  Do you know how ridiculous you sounded out there?  Have you seen Dad's herds lately?  You could have a frickin party every night!  Question.  Did you ever ASK him for a party?  Look at me and answer the question.  Gees, you might be the good son, but you're not very smart.  Father wants to celebrate with you - every day, every night, every minute!  This robe?  It's not even my color.  These rings are a size too big and the sandals are a size too small.  Dad had to whip up this shindig and didn't have a lot of time to prepare.  But you, you had all the time and opportunity to party with Father while I was away, but you didn't.  But it's not too late.  Start now.  Party with Dad. 


4.  Smile more.  Ok, so you served the Father and not once did you disobey His orders.  Was one of his orders not to smile?  Even before I left, your smiles were scarce.  Do you know that one of the reasons I left was because you were always so angry with me?  You kept looking at what I wore, what I did, what I didn't do, etc.  Maybe if you paid less attention to me, and started looking at how great YOUR life is for a change, you would have more to smile about.  Father never threw parties for you because you were always so serious.  Smile, brother!  If I were a man who had everything, I would be laughing all day!               


I, the Prodigal Son, never got the chance to talk to my brother, so I hope he's reading this.  Brother, I dedicate this post to you and others like you, who think that staying home and being with the Father has lost its meaning, its purpose, its joy.  You who are tempted to think that evil is more fun, and envy those who have taken that route.  Trust me, that path leads to death;  I just got out in time.  Ask, and you shall receive.  Knock and the door will be opened.  Go ahead.  Father's waiting.

Note to self:  At noon mass tomorrow, ask for a party.  And for Tito Benny Albano, your party has just started.