The Parable of the Prodigal Son
There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, can I have my share of your property now?’ the father agreed so the lad went travelling and squandered his property in reckless living. When he had spent everything, his friends disappeared and he began to be in need. He got a job feeding pigs and was often hungry.
One day he thought. “My father’s pigs have more to eat than me. I will go home and throw myself at my father’s mercy, asking to be a servant as I am no longer worthy to be his son.”
As he journeyed toward his home, his father saw him and ran out joyfully to embrace him. The son fell at his feet declaring his unworthiness, but the father called his servants, ‘Bring the best robe, and put it on him, put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. Kill the fatted calf and let us eat and celebrate, for my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
Now the older son was in the field, and as he came home, he heard celebrating. He called a servant and asked what was happening. When he was told the celebration was because his brother was back, he was very angry and refused to go in. His father came out and the eldest son said “I have served you, and been a good son but you have never killed an animal in my honour, but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ The father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. Yet, it is fitting to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’
From Luke 15 11-32
