Month: March 2013

THE STORY JESUS TELLS of the Prodigal Son may be the first parable I remember. No wonder: As the oldest of two sons, I’m sure I saw myself in the story’s elder brother, whose little brother got away with everything and received a party as punishment. I wasn’t completely certain what “loose living” was, exactly, but I knew it must describe my brother’s annoying behavior perfectly — or surely would someday, just as soon as he learned to drive.

JOSEPH SOLD INTO SLAVERY, the messengers and then the son of the vineyard owner beaten and killed…. These readings describe in vivid detail the jealousy and greed of humanity at its worst. However, taken one step further, Joseph’s enslavement led to Moses and the Promised Land, and the slaughtered Son led to the Resurrection and our Christian faith and worship.