C: 24th Sun of OrdTime (15 Sept 2019) - THE UNFORGIVING SPACE (LK 15:1-32)

An often neglected part in the analysis of the beloved story of the Prodigal Son is the discourse on physical and social space. Most of the discussions are centered on the personalities of the two sons and their father. While the former displays some sort of tantrums—the younger for demanding his inheritance early (Lk 15:12) and the elder for the gracious return of his brother (vv. 25-30)—the latter epitomizes calm, compassion and forgiveness. He perfectly understands his two sons, regardless of their actions and behaviors.

In the beginning of the story, after receiving his patrimony, the younger son went away into a distant country (v. 13), chōra in Greek, which may refer to “a portion of land area” or “an open country” (cf.BDAG). This far-away land could be anywhere, but we are led to believe that it is somewhere foreign to the Jews since religiously forbidden pigs are described as being raised therein (v. 15). It is safe to say that this land is a non-Jewish territory, which can even be a country situated outside of Palestine. That being said, the younger son became a migrant.

Global international migration has become a very controversial topic for the last several decades. Indeed, the increase in the number of people moving out of their native places to find better socio-economic opportunities elsewhere is scary. The World Migration Report of 2018 informs us that “there were around 244 million international migrants in the world in 2015, which equates to 3.3 per cent of the global population.” In other words, one in every 30 people is an international migrant. The novel thing nowadays is outside financial reasons, the flight away from violence, persecution and civil unrest has become one of the major reasons for migration. The political conflicts in the Syrian Arab Republic and Venezuela resulted to many refugees—5.5 million (as of 2016) and 4 million (as of 2019), respectively—seeking asylum in safer nearby countries. The UN International Organization for Migration declares “that in 2016 there were 40.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) worldwide and 22.5 million refugees.”

Yet, despite this huge number, there are lesser and lesser countries that are committed to their cause, of at least temporarily receiving these refugees into their lands so that they would continue to live. Those few who are allowed in are treated miserably, not only by the government but by the greater population who would look down on them, making them feel unwanted. The same seems to be true in the narrative of the Prodigal Son. The irony is that the society he went into was very welcoming of him when he had lots of money to squander (v. 13). But when he became bankrupt, he was treated inhumanely, worse than a servant, as he would envy the food of the pigs for “no one gave him anything” (v. 16) in return of his service (v. 15). As a matter of fact, he was dying of hunger (v. 17), while the society that he initially enriched clearly abandoned and even used him. Similarly, nations nowadays open borders openly to rich tourists and merchants, but shuts it down instantly to the penniless.

Good that there is still the fatherland, that would receive a migrant back (v. 20). It is a haven for those who suffered abuse in foreign lands and hands. But what if our homelands have a populace with the same attitude as the elder son (v. 30), who would complain about the compassionate care given to the so-called menace of society. This sad reality then jeopardizes exponentially the subsistence of poor migrants, being viewed as a societal malady by their very countrymen. Where would they go if both spaces, foreign and domestic, are unforgiving?

Our Second Reading today is certainly an eye-opener for all on this regard: “The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost. But for that very reason I received mercy, so that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display the utmost patience, making me an example to those who would come to believe in him for eternal life (1 Tim 1:15-16).”

- Rex Fortes, CM