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The father was happy his lost son came back, the brother only saw that his irresponsible brother was back in town.

I think the father did appear to be playing favorites as well. If I were the dutiful son, I might be more inclined to act more like the lost son to get some attention.

It sure would!

I don’t think the parable is attempting to show “familial” love per se. It’s attempting to show religious love – i.e. God’s love for all, regardless of past history of sin, forgiveness is granted equally and fully. That’s a religious interpretation that is not really up for debate. The bigger question is if you apply a secular lens to the question. I say a parent has an obligation to the elder son TO show favoritism. Otherwise people go insane, the system breaks down and things get hairy. I think the elder son is right to be angry, in the secular interpretation. I think the parable has to continue – as Ruth said – with the father slamming the younger son into the mail room to work for peanuts paying room and board for his bedroom. I really couldn’t imagine complete forgiveness in this case (again, from a secular point of view).

It’s really a fascinating story the more you think about it. Human history would be much simpler if everyone offered complete and unconditional forgiveness for all errors, wouldn’t it? If you need an example, look at the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. A horrible bloody civil war never happened there. It’s a simple, clear concept that it seldom put into action – and that’s a pity. I am not sure if it’s lack of capability for forgiveness or simply too much horror to be forgiven sometimes…

Sometimes I think that righteous indignation is a myth.

This makes how the Father responds all that more beautiful, and that is the main lesson – I think – of this story. It teaches us that love conquers even the stupidest of mistakes. Love rejoices in people more than it does in things. And Love’s affection never flags in zeal, despite whatever stupid, wasteful thing we do or even when we sit in unrighteous indignation at the actions of others.

I’m aware of how it is traditionally interpreted, but it’s a story, you should interpret and apply it as you read it. And I actually think that it’s right to celebrate people (including me) overcoming their own mistakes, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you then give them the family farm, or whatever.

And do I think the elder brother forgave his younger brother? That all depends on the younger brother’s attitude. He might if the younger brother is willing to start over, really start over from the ground up. If the younger brother expects to come back as an equal, then no, there’s going to be resentment. Again, there’s a big difference between the theological interpretation and the real-world interpretation. Theologically, sure, if they both died the next day, they would both go to heaven, i.e. get the same reward, but on earth, I think the elder brother would rightfully expect that the younger brother should start in the shipping department and work his way back up to a corner office!