In the well-known story that Jesus tells of a father with two
sons, the father seems reckless. He follows the younger son’s
request to give him his share of the inheritance, normally only
given at death. That son spends it all away. The father worries
about the son every day, and when he sees him in the distance,
he recklessly runs to meet him, in his long robe. And recklessly
he throws a joyful party for the son who had treated him as
good as dead. The father’ compassion seems to be without
limit, and really annoys the older son, who does not like the
joyful party at all.
We are caught up in reckless love. God in Jesus never forgets
us, even if we forget him. Jesus’ overwhelming compassion
could be seen as reckless, especially for those who seem least
deserving.
Which brother are we in the story right now? Probably a
mixture of both. My prayer is that we grow in celebrating and
sharing Jesus compassionate love, no matter how reckless it
might seem.
