Scriptural Reference:
"11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them."
Luke 15:11-12

"13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living."
Luke 15:13

"14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything."
Luke 15:14

"...“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’"
Luke 15:20-21

"22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate."
Luke 15:22-24

"25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’"
Luke 15:25-27

"28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Luke 15:28-32

Reflection:

It will be useful to break this story down into the various characters.

The Prodigal Son:
The traditional understanding of the term 'Prodigal Son' is described as a son who is deemed to be spending money or using resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.

There is a question I would ask about the forgiven Son. We know his journey and his Fathers profound forgiveness. We understand how he has been accepted and conceivably allowed to return to his family home. Yet after time has passed and he has accrued some financial resources; what are the odds that he might long to find out what his friends in that far away country are doing. Now, no longer tied down to the land, he might travel back to that far away place. Would he?

The Fickle Friends:
What can we say about these foreign friends. The Bible doesn't tell us a greaat deal about them. Though we may be able to draw some clues asm to their fickle nature. While times were good and food and wealth was in plenty. These friends would have been there to help the prodigal to spend his money. Ready to make him feel special and entitled.

The Pig Farmer:
Pigs and pig farmers were deemed by the Jewish society as being disgusting. The animal is deemed unclean. While those who work with them would have been looked down on. So for the prodigal to seek employment here would be a radical sign of his fall from grace. His complete and desolate despair.

The Father:
The Father is a perfect reflection of God. I can imagine those listening would have been shocked at how he behaved. Just about everything the Father did was in vast contrast to social expecctations.

The Older Brother:
How many people the older Brother can reflect or represent is a list that could be extensive. Feeling entitled and yet unfarly treated the older Brother has an axe to grind.

The Servants:
The servants were much like the friends in that foreign country. Little is said about them. They were there perceibaly when the prodigal left home. And they were there when he returned. To watch the way the Father receives the Son after everything that the Son had done may or may not have meant anything to them. Though I would believe the servants would have been fairly treated by the father. They would have experienced a fair treatment by him as their boss. So watching the overwhelming love for his Son would have only confirmed their respect for him.

And indeed, the whole chapter of Luke 15 is a series of parables Jesus is telling about lost things being found: lost sheep, lost coins, and lost sons. But that's not what prodigal means.

Prayer:

Amen