There's an old joke where St. Peter is giving a tour to some new inhabitants of heaven and he tells them to be quiet when passing a certain room, because that's where one group is and they think they're the only ones there. Depending on the denomination you grew up in, that group's label will have been different, but the joke still lands. It reminds me of John 21 when Peter and Jesus are talking about Peter's future, and Jesus is giving Peter all the details, but Peter sees John and asks Jesus, "Well, what about him?" We're always wondering about how other people stand with God, and we often think we know that certain people or groups are on the outside looking in.
The prodigal son has returned, and now the story turns to the older brother. He's the one who watched his younger brother demand his inheritance and cut himself off from the family. The older brother has opinions about his younger brother, and when he hears of the radical grace extended upon the return, he is shocked and angry. He refuses to go in to the party.
We can all grasp his point of view. He's so upset that he can't bring himself to be at peace with how the father is treating the younger son. The father isn't operating according to his calculations of who deserves what. This is the struggle of the Pharisees -- they see Jesus mingling with people who they think are less worthy than they are, and they're shocked and offended. Do they see themselves as needing mercy, as needing grace? Do we all recognize how dependent we are on God's reaching out to us in grace? It's hard to set aside self-righteousness and pride and recognize our complete need of grace. Are our hearts in love with the God who gives generously and freely?
Thankfully, the Bible portrays God's grace as abundant and unlimited. Grace given to another doesn't lessen grace available for us. It widens the community and makes the feast richer, more pleasing, as God longs for God's house to be full. There is room for each at the table, so may we pray for hearts ready to celebrate another sinner finding grace, coming just as we are, fully reliant on God.
