Today we have the wonderful parable of the Prodigal Son, although it might be better to speak of the Prodigal Father. It is important to remember why Jesus told this parable. It is given at the beginning of the reading. The Scribes and Pharisees, who regarded themselves as perfect in obeying God's law, were criticising Jesus for mixing and eating with sinners and tax collectors. In doing this, he was breaking the Law and rendering himself 'unclean'. The parable is a way of telling them that they do not understand God's real nature, which, of course, is illuminated by the behaviour of Jesus. So the parable contrasts the attitude of the loving father of the wayward son (who, in fact, behaved very badly) to the arrogance and pride of the elder brother, who acted like the Scribes and Pharisees. But the parable is also speaking to each one of us. In our more honest moments, we will probably admit that very often there is much more of the elder brother in our behaviour towards others than that of the compassionate and forgiving father. Let us change that.