Upon rereading the parable of the prodigal son, I am struck by the father's ability to forgive his younger son. He holds absolutely no grudge about the fact that that the son squandered half his inheritance. He does not begrudge him this, he only loves him. Further, he celebrates him. May I choose the path of celebration instead of judgment! Too often I spend time concerned about the smallest of details in my two sons, and fretting about whether or not they are living up to my expectations (whatever those may be.)
The father in the story simply loves. He sees his son for who he is - a human being with all his gifts and flaws. The father understands the inherent dichotomy present in all of us: we are good and evil. We are beautiful and ugly. We are strong and weak. The father chooses to celebrate these qualities and value what matters most: his son's spiritual resurrection. His son lives! He would forgive him 1,000 times if that's what it would take to preserve the quality of their relationship. The father clearly has great vision and has his priorities well ordered. He chooses the path of love. May I do the same with my sons and all my other "sons."
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