While his own doing, the prodigal son leaves as a rich, privileged man and returns home having experienced poverty, hardship, hunger, etc. He’s lived and is now mindful of others’ struggles; he comes into solidarity with hirelings and underlings.
We all face difficulties of some sort and need to conscientiously, intentionally reflect on the similarities and parallels between our struggles and those of others. We need to concern ourselves with their situations and circumstances, which requires becoming aware of them, as well as performing useful and helpful acts. While we need to concern ourselves with hardships worldwide, it’s appropriate to ‘act locally, think globally.’
Prodigal son returns to the father prepared to be treated as a hireling; he chooses poverty over privilege, and to follow orders as opposed to giving them. In a way, the son had decided to live as if he taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. three to of the three vows associated with holy orders. It takes humility, acceptance and gratitude to live the lifestyle predicated on these principles.
Even if we have not taken Holy Orders, these vows invite all of us to think about our relationships to others, stuff and money. We reflect on the people, principles, and passions that we choose to listen, follow and put first. When we consider other people’s needs as important as our own, we are acting in solidarity with them.
© 2016 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved
Writing to Pray 