What's in a name?

By Ron Bruni

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Today's readings, taken from Micah's book, Psalm 103, and chapter 15 of Luke's gospel, project a common theme about God's abundant mercy, forgiveness, and compassion. They all convey that, despite human shortcomings in sin, God is gracious and willing to forgive and restore those who turn to him with repentant hearts. It reflects the theme of redemption in the boundless love of God for his people. Even in Mark's description of the so-called unforgivable sin, the so-called blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, which is a rejection of God's grace and a persistent hardening of the heart, is, in the long run, probably forgivable when genuine repentance is present.

We talked about Micah in the past. He was one of the so-called minor prophets, with his prophetic ministry occurring during the reigns of several kings of Judah, all of whom were bad, which eventually led to the fall of the northern kingdom, as predicted by Micah in 721 BC. All in all, the book of Micah combines social critique, divine judgment, and hope for restoration. His prophecy pointed directly to Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem, emphasizing His eternal nature. In our time, one of the most well-known verses from Micah, i.e. 6:8: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God."  This is probably good advice even today.

Psalm 103 is a beautiful hymn of praise attributed to King David with the themes being blessing God for what he has given us; God's mercy and grace that he gives us is immeasurable; God's fatherly compassion and most importantly, God's mercy "endures from everlasting to everlasting."

Luke's gospel focuses on the lost and God's love for them. Indeed, Luke gives us three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and finally, today's reading, the prodigal son – highlighting God's joy when the lost are found. Again, the common themes include being lost, repentance, celebration, and the father's longing to save people. 

The parable of the prodigal son is a parable story found in the Gospel of Luke chapter 15 and is probably well known by most of us. The parable introduces us to the father and his two sons. The younger son approached his father and asked for his share of the inheritance. Remarkably, the father agrees and divides the estate between the two sons. The younger son then off and squanders his fortune in a reckless and extravagant lifestyle, eventually becoming destitute. Reduced to working with pigs and starving, he returned home, hoping to be accepted even as a servant. The father, filled with mercy and compassion, embraces his wayward son and welcomes him back with open arms. Meanwhile, the older son, who had remained faithful and dutiful, becomes angry and resentful at his brother's return.

The prodigal son symbolizes sinners who have strayed from God's path, squandering his blessings and rejecting his grace. The inheritance represents the gift of life and free will that God bestows upon us. The father embodies God's unconditional love, always ready to forgive and restore those who repent. The older son represents the self-righteous who struggle with forgiveness and harbor resentment. So, the parable teaches us about repentance, forgiveness, and God's boundless love. His return led to reconciliation and restoration, illustrating God's desire for all sinners to return to him. The older son's refusal to celebrate his brother's return highlights the danger of spiritual pride in unforgiveness.

So, while the parable teaches us about repentance, forgiveness, and God's boundless love, I'd like to digress and talk about how the similarity of two words, prodigy and prodigal, is a metaphor for human behavior. Both words share common origins in Latin. The Latin term behind both of them is "PRODIGIUM" for prodigy and "PRODIGIOUS" for prodigal ( a difference of a few letters but worlds apart in meanings).

In the mid-15th century, prodigy meant "assigned, portend, or something extraordinary from which omens are drawn." The specific meaning of prodigy as a "child with exceptional abilities" emerged by the late 1650s. On the other hand, the word prodigal emphasizes recklessness or excess in spending or behavior. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond financial matters to denote more waywardness or moral laxity. As we just discussed, the biblical parable of the prodigal son played a significant role in shaping the contemporary understanding of "prodigal" as one who squanders resources or strays from a virtuous path.

Humans with free will possess the remarkable capacity to embody progeny and prodigality, revealing the dual potential for extraordinary goodness or waywardness. In a positive sense, humans can be prodigious, displaying exceptional talents, virtues, and achievements when guided by positive influence and a conscientious lifestyle. On the other hand, they may choose a prodigal path, squandering their potential for good through indulgence and negative behaviors, moral laxity, or misguided lifestyle. Thus, the etymology of these words underscores the pivotal role of human choices and conduct in determining whether they become prodigies of virtue or prodigals of waywardness.

God equips us with various transformative tools to shape us into prodigies rather than prodigals. These tools are wisdom, compassion, and discernment, bestowed through divine guidance in contemplating sacred teachings. The Bible serves as a moral compass. In this book, God uses His word to mold us. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, the Holy Spirit illuminates our truths, gradually transforming our hearts and minds. Jesus prayed, "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth" (John 17:17). Within the body of Christ, we find a community of believers, pastors, and teachers who minister to us, imparting God's wisdom in many ways. Fellowship with fellow believers encourages us and holds us accountable. Together, we learn and grow. Prayer becomes a powerful instrument, connecting us with the divine source of strength and guidance, facilitating and cultivating a resilient and virtuous character.

Additionally, the capacity for introspection, an inherent tool in human consciousness, allows us to reflect on our actions, fostering personal growth and spiritual maturity. As exemplified by God's grace, love and forgiveness become transformative forces, enabling us to extend kindness and reconciliation to others. Painful circumstances, though challenging, serve as tools for our sanctification. Through adversity, we learn submission, humility, and dependence on God. Emerging from difficulties, we gain deeper faith, greater maturity, and refined character. Ultimately, the diligent use of these tools grounded in a life aligned with divine principles empowers individuals to manifest their prodigious potential and resist the pitfalls of prodigality. 

Remember Isaiah's analogy: “We are the clay, and you are the potter; all of us are the work of your hands" (Isaiah 64:8). Yielding to God's shaping tools allows us to become prodigies – masterpieces reflecting his grace and love.