The Running Father

I was listening to a speaker explain the full cultural impact that the parable of the "Prodigal Son" would have had on the people of Jesus' time. The following is a modern version of this parable which trys to give the equivalent cultural impact of the original story.

The focus of this parable has often been the wayward son who realizes his mistakes and goes back to his father in repentence and humility. This re-telling of the story highlights what is thought to be the greater theme within the story - "The Running Father". It reveals a father who is not concerned about humiliating himself when he chooses to run after his wayward sons. His forgiveness is not withheld because of his pride or because of community expectations. He is like our Father in heaven who loves us with a pure sacrificial love.

Further to this, I was surprised about my misunderstanding of the character of the older son. I now realize that my past thoughts and actions had been most similar to those of the older son who had, until now, the benefit of my misplaced sympathy.


The Running Father

A Father with two sons had decided it was time to retire. He had lost his wife to cancer the previous year but continued working until he was 61 to put his adopted sons through university and post-graduate studies.

Shortly after he retired, news came that a good friend had suddenly died of a heart attack. As a result the friend’s son, who had become the soul beneficiary of his Father’s estate, quit his job and rapidly embraced a decadent life-style of luxury and pleasure.

When the younger son returned from university his Father told him about the friend’s death and the surviving son who was now independently wealthy. His younger son lay awake that night dreaming about the freedom an inheritance could give. As he drifted off to sleep he had resolved to speak to his Father in the morning.

Shortly after sunrise the younger son found his Father in the kitchen enjoying his morning coffee. He sat down and proceeded to ask his Dad if he would consider re-mortgaging the family home. His Father, caught totally by surprise, composed himself and calmly asked why he should entertain such a request. Without skipping a beat His son explained, “If you freed up the equity from the house you could give my brother and I our inheritance before you die. Just think of the pleasure you would have seeing us enjoy the benefits of your legacy.” The Father nodded and asked for some time to think about the request. This would mean an abrupt end to his retirement and the sacrifice of continuing to work in order to make ends meet.

Friends and family became furious with the two sons when they heard that their Father was delaying his well-earned retirement so they could have an advance on their inheritance.

The younger son quickly packed his suitcase and said goodbye to his Father and older brother. He was sick of his life at home, sick of the little town where nothing seemed to happen, and sick of having to struggle his way through life. He was now free!

His new found liberty was short-lived. The money was gone before he knew it. Reality was now burning away the alcoholic fog that he had drifted in for months. The girl who shared his bed had left when the money ran out. The soup kitchen line-up was always longer than anticipated. He was miserable. Could he dare consider returning home?”

Every day, after the departure of his younger son, the Father would anxiously check the mailbox. Once the supper dishes were done he would sit on the porch, sighing with sadness, hoping his son would push open the screen door and step back into his life.

One evening after work the Father stopped at the local donut shop for a coffee. He would often chat with old friends who frequented the place. “I heard a rumour that your younger son will be arriving on the 7:00 o’clock train,” said one of his neighbours who had just sat down. The Father quickly jumped up from his chair after glancing at his watch – it was 6:55. He rushed out of the donut shop and ran toward the train station as fast as his legs would carry him. As he rounded the corner, within sight of the station, the Father could see his two brothers standing with his younger son. From the yelling and the arm gestures he realized it was not an amiable conversation. His son, with his head down, was turning to get back on the train as the Father stepped onto the platform calling out to his boy, “Son, Son, stop!” With three steps he quickly closed the gap between his son and himself. He embraced him with hugs and kisses. Tears of joy were flowing down his wrinkled face. It was time to celebrate. His son had come home.

The next evening the house was buzzing with the conversation of family and friends who had gathered to celebrate the father's unconditional love for the younger son who had come home. Music was playing in the background, steaks were sizzling on the barbeque, and laughter filled the air as everyone partied into the early hours of the morning.

Few people had heard the indignant older son yelling at his Father earlier that evening. He couldn’t comprehend why he and his friends had not been given such lavish parties? He was the dutiful son who had stayed home with his Father. How could this irresponsible son of his, who had squandered his inheritance, deserve such extravagant treatment? Trying to calm him down, the Father drew nearer and put his hand on the older son’s shoulder. He tried to reason with him saying, “You have always had access to everything I own. I held nothing back. All you had to do was ask.” The Father could see that the older son, who had stormed off into the darkness, was unhappy with his answer. He knew that his older son’s problem stemmed from an unwillingness to forgive his brother. Because of the hardness of his heart he was spiritually blind. He could not see beyond a selfish younger brother who should be punished and himself as the injured party who should be more appreciated.

After saying goodbye to the last few guests, the Father sat down on the front porch. His eyes became moist and tears gradually dampened his cheeks. His heart was aching for his older son. Which path would he choose to take?