tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post3973053708240090930..comments2024-02-14T14:53:03.810-07:00Comments on Καθολικός διάκονος: Parable of the Prodigal Son extendedDeacon Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-23626510604705613082013-09-15T15:05:13.401-06:002013-09-15T15:05:13.401-06:00Exactly, but whether they, we, or the prodigal son...Exactly, but whether they, we, or the prodigal son, choose to follow or not is up to us. Right? <br /><br />If this is right, can we not say that our decision, one way or the other, has consequences?Deacon Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-27263785022437749022013-09-15T14:37:19.854-06:002013-09-15T14:37:19.854-06:00It seems to me that there is a pharisaical way of ...It seems to me that there is a pharisaical way of levying the charge of being a Pharisee. Let's not forget, of all the major Jewish groupings of Jesus' time, He would have had the most in common with the Pharisees, which is manifested by the fact that He interacted with them so much. Their mission was what we, as post-Vatican II Catholics, might see as an ancient Jewish version of the universal call to holiness.<br /><br />I have a difficult time seeing the Pharisees as merely two-dimensional foils, <i>à la</i> Snidely Whiplash, to Jesus' Dudley Doright.Deacon Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-11992074123506965402013-09-15T14:35:43.506-06:002013-09-15T14:35:43.506-06:00It's so not about making parallels. Jesus addr...It's so not about making parallels. Jesus addresses the Pharisees with these parables, inviting them to discipleship, and some indeed respond by following him. Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262662173303042998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-7537781424399513192013-09-15T14:26:23.220-06:002013-09-15T14:26:23.220-06:00Yes, but can you draw a direct parallel between th...Yes, but can you draw a direct parallel between the older brother and the Pharisee? Is that a sound exegesis? Besides, did Jesus not have compassion for them too? Does the father tell the son his concern is silly, or stupid? No, he reassures him. It's easy to be smug either way with this story. Jesus loves too much to ever let us be smug.<br /><br />The larger question, the one I am addressing, is, If the prodigal had not returned, would there be a party, even when one factors in Jesus' first two parables about searching out the one who is lost? After all, a person is neither a sheep nor a coin.Deacon Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-8856906970894297642013-09-15T14:13:56.419-06:002013-09-15T14:13:56.419-06:00I'm reading the parable in the context of the ...I'm reading the parable in the context of the events of the Gospel…<br />"Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,<br />but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,<br />'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.' <br />So to them he addressed this parable."Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262662173303042998noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-68845289706631652102013-09-15T13:50:24.775-06:002013-09-15T13:50:24.775-06:00I am not sure that the Lord sets the older, faithf...I am not sure that the Lord sets the older, faithful son before us as a Pharisee. After all, is he not promised all the father has? I suppose the operative question is, Will we be saved against our will?, or, stated a bit differently, What do you desire?Deacon Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01385969740195992108noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8254272216866737058.post-37345862618978521802013-09-15T13:08:40.505-06:002013-09-15T13:08:40.505-06:00My dear pharisees: "now we must celebrate and...My dear pharisees: "now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”<br />Don't stand outside complaining, but come inside and rejoice with the tax collectors.Fredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01262662173303042998noreply@blogger.com