The Prodigal Son's Older Brother

For the Mass Readings Explained for the 4th Sunday of Lent (Year C), the Church places before us the parable of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel reading.

Often times, and understandably so, the emphasis is placed on the wayward younger son who takes his inheritance from his father and leaves to go to a distant land, only to then return to his father's house asking for mercy and to be accepted back.

However, there is much to be said regarding the older brother, who not only sees his relationship with his father as one of a servant rather than a son, but it is important to note how he, like the Pharisees who made a comment which launched Jesus into this parable, are being identified as the elder brother.

They, like the elder son, despise the father's mercy that he bestows upon the outcasts and the sinners.

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