In a recent homily, Fr. Cedric M. Wilson, OSA broke open the story of the Prodigal Son from the point of view of the older son. He pointed out that the older son had many gifts that his younger brother did not have when welcomed home by their father – health, friends, food, a safe place to rest his head to name only a few. Fr Wilson suggested that if the older son had been thankful the gifts he did have rather than complaining about those he did not, he may not have been angry at the merciful father for throwing a party to celebrate the return of the prodigal son.
I left Mass pondering these questions:
- Do I look at the compassion shown to others from a place of gratitude, thankful for the times I too have been shown compassion?
- Am I thankful for what I have or do I grumble about what others have and I do not possess?
Graceful Intersections 