17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
Reflection
Compassion for Family brought to mind an experience that hit very close to home. An elderly relative, whom we shall call X. Smith, needed on-site supervision and, as luck would have it, there were two residences located on the property. One of the grandchildren whom we will call Z. Smith, was recently married and thinking of purchasing a home, so they negotiated a
legal document to “rent with an option to buy” with the owner and a lawyer. When X. Smith passed away several years later, Z. Smith’s family had grown, and many improvements had been made to the house at Z. Smith’s expense. The years had been a very happy time for all and the Z. Smith family looked forward to many more years in their home. Unfortunately one
of the Smith relatives, whom we shall call Y. Smith, thought they should inherit the property and created a lawsuit to fight for part of the value of the property. It was a very messy situation and caused a rift in the extended Smith family for years. As I think about this conflict within the Smith family, I realize that the parable of the Prodigal Son offers a beautiful resolution of Compassion for Our Family.
How much better it would have been if the two major people within the Smith family’s conflict could have shown compassion to one another, rather than not speaking to one another for the rest of their lives. Both people in the Smith family felt that they were right and refused to discuss the facts. It was only with the intervention of spouses that a truce was declared,
although Y. and Z. Smith never spoke again. In the story of the Prodigal Son the father showed incredible compassion to both his sons. He did not need an apology; he simply embraced his son and celebrated his return. The younger son showed compassion for himself as he admitted that he had squandered his fortune and offered to humbly return to the family admitting his guilt. There is no way of knowing whether or not the older son was ever
able to forgive his brother, but maybe he learned about compassion from their father. The father demonstrated compassion for both sons as well as forgiveness for the actions of the younger son. The parable closes with vs.32 “We had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.”
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
Have you experienced a rift within your family that could be resolved with compassion? As I reflect back now I realize that the spouse of Y. Smith really acted with Compassion for the Family, and I remember his quiet presence in the midst of family gatherings. I realize, too, that his example has left a lasting impression on many of his children, and I suspect also his grand children and great-grandchildren. I am thankful for his “womb-like” care for his entire family, both the immediate and extended family.
Prayer: Forgiving God, we give thanks for your everlasting love and compassion. We confess that we fall short of the lessons Jesus taught more times than we care to remember. Forgive us, we pray. When we act impulsively, remind us to stop and think about the potential harm our
actions might create. Especially within our family, help us to show compassion amid challenging situations and to admit when we could have made better choices. Amen.