Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the greatest Biblical stories. It is easy for many people, at least in some degree, to identify themselves with the Prodigal Son as they reflect on their need for repentance and forgiveness.

In reality, however, most of us rather tend to be like the elder son. We do not abandon God as the younger son abandoned his father. We do not live dissolute lives and or end up in a total mess. Most of us are very ordinary decent people - neither great saints nor great sinners. Our faults and failings mostly make us like the elder son: we stay with God, we are true to our religion and we practise our faith, but sometimes we are too wrapped up in ourselves and do not always appreciate what God gives us.

The elder son's sins were ingratitude and ungraciousness towards his Father and self-centred righteousness towards his younger brother. Praying over the parable from this perspective may lead us towards greater gratitude to God, and a greater compassion for those who do go astray.