Super interesting analysis here, Jim! I look forward to sitting with it further. Just wanted to chime in with another detail I heard in a homily somewhere/somewhen--that the younger son asking for his share of the inheritance was, in a sense, not only asking the father to forfeit part of the land and the profit that could have been earned from it in the future (that would have helped to support the family/community), but also more or less telling the father, "I wish you were dead." Perhaps an extreme reading, in terms of attributing motive to the son, but the idea that he would rather have his father's money than his father's presence and guidance is telling, especially in the overall context you've laid out here.
A couple of exegetical notes. 1) In the society of Jesus’ parable, the older son would have inherited a double portion, i.e. 2/3. 2) The younger son’s asking for the inheritance early was a real insult to his father: “I wish you were dead!“
Modern mobility has led to children going into many “far countries,“ and it’s hard to see how your vision of the group/village can be achieved across the board.
Jim, fantastic article! I pulled out my (Catholic) study Bible for this one, and it suggests that this parable also narrated the exile and homecoming of one of the tribes of Israel. After the reign of Solomon, Israel split into two kingdoms (like two brothers). The northern tribes of Israel, however, were eventually carried off by Assyrians into a far country, where they rejected God. The book of Jeremiah tells the story of Ephraim from Northern Israel, who repents after a period of exile and disgrace.
I’ve been thinking lately about the importance of both quantity and quality time lately. With kids, we hear a lot about how quality time can make up for a lack of “quantity” time. I’m dubious. And obviously, to have “quantity time,” you need to be in close physical proximity. That, combined with how a lot of people seem to feel family relationships are disposable, especially if they’re not “serving them,” is a recipe for alienation.
Really great reading. Though not entirely on the same train of thought, I am considering the ever increasing role of mothers in the workplace and how this feeds a maternal deprivation for their children. This is a very deceptive thing that society is promoting as good, when it is just an ultimate family abandonment which has real consequences - note the father has a role to play in making the alternative possible. Do you have any thoughts on this?
Super interesting analysis here, Jim! I look forward to sitting with it further. Just wanted to chime in with another detail I heard in a homily somewhere/somewhen--that the younger son asking for his share of the inheritance was, in a sense, not only asking the father to forfeit part of the land and the profit that could have been earned from it in the future (that would have helped to support the family/community), but also more or less telling the father, "I wish you were dead." Perhaps an extreme reading, in terms of attributing motive to the son, but the idea that he would rather have his father's money than his father's presence and guidance is telling, especially in the overall context you've laid out here.
A couple of exegetical notes. 1) In the society of Jesus’ parable, the older son would have inherited a double portion, i.e. 2/3. 2) The younger son’s asking for the inheritance early was a real insult to his father: “I wish you were dead!“
Modern mobility has led to children going into many “far countries,“ and it’s hard to see how your vision of the group/village can be achieved across the board.
Jim, fantastic article! I pulled out my (Catholic) study Bible for this one, and it suggests that this parable also narrated the exile and homecoming of one of the tribes of Israel. After the reign of Solomon, Israel split into two kingdoms (like two brothers). The northern tribes of Israel, however, were eventually carried off by Assyrians into a far country, where they rejected God. The book of Jeremiah tells the story of Ephraim from Northern Israel, who repents after a period of exile and disgrace.
I’ve been thinking lately about the importance of both quantity and quality time lately. With kids, we hear a lot about how quality time can make up for a lack of “quantity” time. I’m dubious. And obviously, to have “quantity time,” you need to be in close physical proximity. That, combined with how a lot of people seem to feel family relationships are disposable, especially if they’re not “serving them,” is a recipe for alienation.
Really great reading. Though not entirely on the same train of thought, I am considering the ever increasing role of mothers in the workplace and how this feeds a maternal deprivation for their children. This is a very deceptive thing that society is promoting as good, when it is just an ultimate family abandonment which has real consequences - note the father has a role to play in making the alternative possible. Do you have any thoughts on this?