Wednesday, July 4th:
The father in the story of the prodigal son suffered much. He saw his younger son leave, knowing the disappointments, rejections and abuses facing him. He saw his older son become angry and bitter, and was unable to offer him affection and support. A large part of the father’s life has been waiting. He could not force his younger son to come home or his older son to let go of his resentments. Only they themselves could take the initiative to return.
During these long years of waiting the father cried many tears and died many deaths. He was emptied out by suffering. But that emptiness had created a place of welcome for his sons when the time of their return came. We are called to become like that father.
Henri Nouwen
For further reflection…
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out… he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph!… I am your brother, Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed…” – Genesis 45: 1-5, excerpts (NIV)