He Eats with Sinners and Prostitutes
The story of the shepherd who finds his sheep/the father who regains his son should really be called the Forgiving Father. This father has two sons. Neither of them seems to be as loving or pardoning as the father. The younger son takes his inheritance and squanders it. This son thinks his father is dead because you get his inheritance after your father dies. The eldest son is full of envy and jealousy. He has no respect for his father. This son wants his father to be dead so he could have his inheritance. These two sons have much to learn.
When I think about the sins of these two sons, I see two groups of people. The first group, like the youngest son, are sinners and prostitutes who spend time with Jesus. Jesus eats with them. In time they will come to their senses and ask for forgiveness from the father.
The second group, like the eldest son, are the Pharisees and scribes. They have no mercy; they offer no forgiveness. They want other people to see how perfect they are, how holy they imagine themselves. We are never told if the eldest son went to the banquet. I wonder if those people who think they are so holy and so special will be able to enter the banquet.
One last thought: Isn’t it better to be with people who know they are sinners and who will ask for mercy and forgiveness? Jesus knows that. Perhaps that’s why he eats with sinners and prostitutes. What do you think?
May the Lord bless you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen