The story of the prodigal son is a common story for many families across all times and nations. The Lord Jesus Christ uses this narrative—painfully familiar to every person—to convey a profound spiritual meaning through the images of the father and his sons.

When is an inheritance typically received? Not just financial support or some funds, but an actual inheritance? Clearly, only in the event of the owner’s death. The prodigal son is a selfish man. This is his primary sin. He loves himself and his passions. His desire for freedom and inheritance is merely a way to indulge himself…

But as often happens in life, this proud youth encounters a company of like-minded “friends”. Nothing unites them—neither friendship, nor love, nor the search for truth, nor spiritual pursuits. The only thing they share is a passionate, reckless way of life. Toward one another, they are insincere, hypocritical, and flattering. And when the younger son «squandered his wealth in wild living» (Luke 15:13), he inevitably found himself alone…

For a Jew, tending (feeding) pigs was an extremely degrading occupation. It was, in a sense, the lowest point of social downfall. Even more humiliating was being unworthy of the food given to pigs.

Reaching the deepest level of humiliation, the prodigal son, as Scripture says, «came to himself» (Luke 15:17). These are very important words. They indicate that the state in which the prodigal son had lived was like a dream, oblivion, even like being drunk. The carefree life he had sought turned out to be an illusion. And now he comes to himself, realizing his true situation: he, the son of wealthy parents, a free man, had fallen so low as to become nothing, not even someone’s servant, but a slave. And with this revelation, the repentant son understands that he must return home—to his father.

In the prodigal son’s situation, it is vividly shown that a person who desires to live apart from God, in a spiritual sense, descends lower and lower. Eventually, such a person loses their dignity and instead develops base, animalistic tendencies. Often, it is only when one finds oneself in the filth of sin—symbolized here by the pigs—that they recognize their spiritual emptiness. And then, coming to themselves, they begin the journey home to the Heavenly Father. It was not easy for the prodigal son to decide to return home. The Gospel words conveying his internal monologue serve as a form of self-motivation for this action: «How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father» (Luke 15:18). Moreover, the repentant son prepares a speech he intends to deliver before his father: «Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants» (Luke 15:19). His words are filled with humility and an acknowledgment of his guilt.

And as he approaches home, his father sees him from afar, recognizes him, and runs to meet his prodigal child. Let us recall the speech the prodigal son had prepared for his father. Now the long-awaited reunion takes place. The son begins to deliver his speech. But notice a detail that often escapes us when reading this parable: the prodigal son only says the first part; he does not complete the second part: «make me like one of your hired servants.» This does not happen because he forgot or changed his mind, but, as biblical commentators explain, because his father interrupts him. In the very act of his son’s return, the father sees his repentance and understands perfectly well what was happening during his son’s time away. The father does not wait for an elaborate confession. He does not need speeches. He needs his son! The saints say, «The father redeems the son’s sins with a kiss and covers them with his embrace. He does this to avoid exposing the son’s transgressions, to spare him suffering.»

Filled with joy, the father commands: «Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet» (Luke 15:22). The best robe, the sandals, and the ring are symbols of status (cf. Genesis 41:42). By bestowing them upon his son, the father shows that his son is fully forgiven and restored. The lost sonship and its restoration carry immense significance, not only in this parable but throughout all Holy Scripture. Humanity was called to become children of God, but the fall of our ancestors and our personal sins cause us to lose this status. God does not wait, much less he demands humiliation from us—He simply sees our desire to return and immediately runs toward the repentant soul.

This parable is always read on the second preparatory Sunday before Great Lent. The image of the prodigal son is also present in many other church texts. All of this naturally leads us to see ourselves in the prodigal son. It instills in us an important realization: for God, sinners are still His children, whose return is awaited by a loving Father. In this context, the image of the prodigal son even becomes appealing, and we find comfort in the thought that no matter how much we sin, we will be forgiven like the prodigal son. All that is required is to «come to ourselves (to senses),» repent, and return to the Heavenly Father. This is true… but what if… what if we are not the younger prodigal son, but his older brother? Who among us sees themselves in the older son? For within his character lies a terrifying mystery—the mystery of false sonship, pride, unforgiveness, and envy.

Thus, in the older son’s personality, we see not a good and obedient son but a selfish and envious man, secretly wishing for his father’s death to receive the entire inheritance. A striking detail: the older son does not say to his father, «Why have you accepted this drunkard and wastrel who will probably continue his reckless ways?» He does not warn his father that his mercy might be abused again. No, the older son reveals the true cause of his grievance: «You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends» (Luke 15:29). So this is what he longed for! This is what was on his mind! He, too, wanted to enjoy himself with his friends. And he hates his younger brother because the latter did so and was still forgiven!

Again, we say: it is easy to see ourselves in the prodigal son, who, in the end, is a positive character because he repented and was forgiven. But let us closely examine the older son and ask ourselves: can I truly accept and rejoice in the spiritual gifts and blessings of others?

Our Lord Jesus Christ says to His disciples, «In My Father’s house are many rooms» (John 14:2). In this Father’s house, there is a place for everyone who comes and seeks the love of the Father. But can all the household members live together in peace and harmony? People are so different from one another. Of course, they can—but only those who are willing to transform themselves completely, from the inside out. The Heavenly Father will not drive anyone away, but many may choose not to enter the Father’s house at all. Just like in today’s parable, when the father welcomes the younger son home, the older, as the Scripture says, «became angry and refused to go in» (Luke 15:28).

Brothers and sisters, let us not stand apart but enter the Father’s house, and without envy, judgment, or hypocrisy, let us share in the joy of every soul that, like we once did, has returned to the Heavenly Father. Amen.