Forgiving the Prodigal Brother

The parable might mean more if it had another verse or two.  It is nice the prodigal's father was not only forgiving but understanding as well.  It is important the son was contrite, accepting of his father's love and reconciliation.  But that was not unexpected.  The father's role, if he is to be a father, is to understand.  Because of who he is and because he loves this young man, he has no other real choices.  Nor could the son do other than accept and cherish his father's forgiveness.

What is missing is a response from his brother.  The brother has no debt.  He must neither forgive nor understand, and as the story ends he has done neither.  Maybe later, maybe in the part that did not get written.  But maybe not.

We are forgiving.  We are understood.  God does that and he does it without end.  He is our Father.  He loves us, and forgiving and trying to understand are parts of what that means.  It is how we define a loving parent.  We and our brothers are the ones who have choices.  With God there is love and it is free, as is his forgiveness.  No need to specifically request it; nor need we be explicit in our gratitude.  It is with each other that a willingness to model our Father, to share his forgiveness and be as willing to understand, become important and complete the story.