The Prodigal Son, The Resentful Brother and The Loving Father
29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your [l]wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
- Excerpt from Luke 15 (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin and The Prodigal Son)
While the Younger brother is welcomed back for having Found how to live life, he will stay pay for the consequences of Sin (squandering his inheritance, which can be time and money). The inheritance is given once, not twice.
The Elder brother resents the younger brother’s return, and complains to the Father “what about me, have I not always followed the rules?” His intention of following the rules can be examined. What does it say about you if you cannot be happy for those who have eventually found the Way? How do you know that the younger brother was with prostitutes? Have you always wanted to try being with a prostitute as well?
The Younger and Elder brother can be a metaphor for the two sides within you: the irrational, entrepreneurial and sensual side, and the rational and conservative side.
The Father as a third character…
