What do you know about camera angles?

If you watch any kind of live presentation of a sporting event on TV, you are familiar with the reality of camera angles.   Especially football. You will see the same play, the same reality, from four or five different perspectives.   Each one records the same truth, but the point of view from which you look at the event, colors what you see.

So when you approach the great stories of scripture, to read, to study, to pray into them, the 'camera angle' from which you experience this story affects what you see and how you will understand it.   This week, I found myself entering the parable of the prodigal son through the somewhat skewed point of view of the elder brother.   Which was a little surprising, but there it was.   The elder brother's position.

He did not know what kind of person his father was. He had lived with his father all his life but never really knew his father.   He should have known how sad his father was at his brother's departure and how everyday the old man waited at the gate hoping his son would return. Did he wait for months or years?   We just know he waited.   If the elder son really knew his father, he would not have been surprised that his father went bananas when his brother returned.   He should have known that his father, at the first sight of his returning, would grab his cane run down the road like a racehorse.

If he knew the kind of man his father was, he would not have been least surprised that his father would hug his brother... kiss his son despite the pig smell.   He'd have known that before his brother could have gotten not-so-contrite apology out of his mouth, the father would interrupt with the orders that restored his son to full family status.   Bring my finest robes ...put a ring on his finger...put new shoes on his bare feet... - all are the signs of status within a family.   He'd have known that the fatted calf's fate was sealed.   And he'd have known about the party.   And if the elder son knew the kind of man his father was, he would not have been the least surprised that his father had forgotten to send a servant to break the news to his older son. And if the elder son really knew his father, he would have slapped his brother on the back, gave him hug and danced with his brother and everybody else at the party.

Unfortunately, the elder son along with the fatted calf saw no reason to celebrate.

Sometimes I grumble, because it seems that people don't play by the rules and yet they are still rewarded.   I help people through the marriage annulment process and it seems like the ones who deserve to be set free from the bond because the spouse was left THEM can't find the witnesses and the ones who flaunt the rules and the church are able to remarry with no problem.   One of my classmates in the seminary used to drive me nuts because he'd never be on time, and we'd all be waiting and fuming, and he'd come down as if nothing was wrong - because he didn't have to wait like we did.   In a hundred ways, I realized I don't understand my Father.   Or at least I don't understand him as Jesus portrays him in this story.   If I really understood my Father, wouldn't I rejoice at the return of each profligate?   Wouldn't I take each wedding I perform, no matter how great or small the faith level of the couple involved as a chance to evangelize and help people know the good news?  

A quick pulse check on the gospel this week.   How much did you sympathize with the elder brother in the story?   To the extent that I found that same resentment as the older brother in my heart, I realize that I still do not understand my heavenly Father.   So, this week, I invite to you read the story first, from whatever camera angle seems to fit where you are in life - and spend time praying about what that reveals about you.   And then, to end the week praying the story from the camera angle of the Father.   "You see, we have to celebrate.   For this son of mine was dead and has been brought back to life.   He was lost and now is found."