Sean Major-Campbell | Dependable Christian or prodigal one?

THE PARABLE of the ‘Prodigal Son’ is the story of the Church. Who are you? How do you understand yourself? Are you the compliant, always at home older brother? Or are you the rebellious, irresponsible, younger brother in need of being saved?

What happens when we identify these personalities in the space of church? There are those Christians who know themselves to be older, respected, obedient, traditional, hardly missing church, very special in the sight of God. Then, there are those who understand themselves to be seen as sinful, in need of being saved, in need of repentance and could do with a new lease on life. And maybe, much of this is often true. Their lives have, on occasion, been just a total mess. The darkness of life for them was sometimes palpable.

The righteous older brother members of the church are good people. They are often good examples of committed Christians who know the doctrines of the church. They serve the status quo. They never sleep out. Off to work early every day, and still on time for every church event. The church is home, and they know it.

The rebellious younger members of the church are something else. They fail to be always on time for church. Some stray away from church and are missing for a while. Sometimes for a long time. They know that people are talking about them. Some get involved with drugs. Some experiment with various relationships. Some start unplanned families.

The righteous older Christian might be a good example with a seemingly victorious walk of faith. However, some are prone to being so perfect that they become the opposite of what they had set out to be. You know those who operate as if their calling is to judge everyone else. They see a pierced eyebrow or nose as a sure sign of someone who is a sinner. They are aghast at someone with a tattoo or tattoos. They readily clutch pearls when conversations depart from traditional norms around long-held understandings about Christianity.

With all his flaws, the younger Christian stands as an interesting bastion of resistance and resilience.

Nothing beats knowing yourself. The younger brother knew that he had gone astray. He knew that he would have been considered a disappointment to his father, family, neighbours and all who knew that he was never short of good teaching and examples at home. He knew that he had squandered resources which ought to have been better used. He even knew that the value system back home was the best that life had to offer. The younger brother knew that his father was not so miserable after all.

In the past, who were you most likely to identify with? Be honest now. Who do you most identify with today? Are you the older and ‘better’ brother – the older and ‘better’ believer in the church? Or, are you the younger and ‘lesser’ believer in the church?

On this fourth Sunday in Lent, the story of the prodigal son presents those who are judged and condemned with reminders of resistance and resilience through introspection, evaluation, and repentance followed by determination for change.

The younger son resisted the hold of excessive indulgence over his life. He did not blame others. He did not blame demons or any force outside of himself. He came to terms with having made certain choices which had put him in his current situation. He leaned on his knowledge of his father’s heart of love and care and wisdom. His resilience was emboldened by what he knew of his father’s constant context of success.

Repentance is itself an act of resistance and resilience. That Greek word at the root of ‘repentance’ is very helpful. ‘Metanoia’ moves beyond mere regret. It is more than a response to guilt. It involves a deep sense of the need for change and results in a turning around. It is as if the individual makes a complete move away from the old way of being to a new way of being. That change of mind and direction is one of the greatest tools of resistance and resilience. Human dignity is restored.

Now, you see why it was time for the best party ever. Great food and drinks and music and dancing, the best clothes and jewellery and all those things that some self-righteous folks like to condemn.

The life of faith in God inspires hope and joy and new life and cause for celebrating. Every eucharistic celebration (Mass, Lord’s supper, blessed sacrament of the altar) is a reminder of the divine initiative of steadfast love. The eucharistic prayer aptly notes that God’s steadfast love calls us to return. “Again and again, we have turned away from you; yet in every age your steadfast love has called us to return, to live in union with you; for it is your eternal purpose to put new life into all things and make them holy.” ( Book of Common Prayer, Eucharistic Prayer A)

The Collect on this day assists our prayers: “Gracious Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ came down from heaven to be the true bread which gives life to the world: Evermore give us this bread, that he may live in us, and we in him; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.” ( Book of Common Prayer)

Fr Sean Major-Campbell is an Anglican priest and advocate for human rights and dignity. Please send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and seanmajorcampbell@yahoo.com