A PODCAST FOR PREACHERS

The Parable of the
Prodigal Son

TONYA: All right, welcome in, everyone. Ready for another deep dip dive? Today we’re tackling a story that’s super familiar, but we’re going to look at it uh maybe with some fresh eyes today, especially for folks in those pastoral roles. We’re talking, of course, about the parable of the prodigal son, Luke Chapter 15.

FATHER DON: Yeah. A story that’s really stood the test of time, you know, and we’re going to try to get at why that is, why it’s still so powerful, and how it can, you know, still speak to us, to families, to people today.

TONYA: Definitely. And think, you know, to really appreciate it, you got to picture the scene. So

Jesus is hanging out with uh let’s just say the people the religious types weren’t too fond of tax collectors, people considered sinners, right? And the Pharisees, the scribes, they’re not happy about it, you know, grumbling in the background. So Jesus hits them with the story, a father and his two sons.

Simple on the surface, but man, so much deeper when you really dig in, you know, about what it means to be human, about faith, about being forgiven.

FATHER DON: And You know, right off the bat, what gets me is the younger son’s request, like the audacity, asking for his inheritance while his dad’s still alive. That’s not just about money. It’s a huge cultural no. Almost like saying, “I can’t wait till you’re gone.”

TONYA: Yeah. It’s like, “Drop dead already, Dad, so I cash in.” But the father doesn’t like disown him or anything. He actually goes ahead and divides his stuff. I mean, what does that tell us about this guy right from the start?

FATHER DON: It shows, I think, a deep respect for the son’s choices, even though they’re obviously bad ones. It’s letting go, letting them figure things out the hard way, maybe even hoping you’ll come back one day. It’s like parents now with, you know, grown kids making decisions they totally disagree with. Tough spot to be in that balance of love and letting go.

TONYA: And then there’s that whole distant country thing. It’s more than just a place, right? Like how does that play out today in our lives or distant countries?

FATHER DON: Oh, absolutely.

• Could be getting so lost in the online world that you lose touch with real people, real life, even though it looks like you’re connected all the time.
• Or could be work. you know, the career that swallows you, whole family values, everything else takes a backseat.
• Or even like an internal distance, you know, shame, feeling like you’re not good enough. So, you pull away from everyone, even the people who care.

TONYA: It’s crazy how many ways there are to be far away, even when you’re right there physically. But then boom, the money’s gone and there’s this huge famine. That’s got to be about more than just empty pockets, right?

FATHER DON: Right. That famine, it’s like the emptiness of a life with no meaning, no real connections, no purpose. Like the outside reflects the inside. So, he’s desperate: feeding pigs, even wishing he could eat their food. That’s rock bottom, man.

TONYA: And then he has that moment coming to his senses. What brings that on for people today? It’s not always some big dramatic thing, is it?

FATHER DON: No. Sometimes it’s something small that makes you stop and think, you know…

• a random conversation, a song, a memory, or maybe you just get tired of chasing stuff that doesn’t last.
• Or you realize you’re lonely, even surrounded by people. Someone does something kind for you and it makes you see how much that’s missing in your own life.

You just can’t ignore the difference anymore between where you are and where you were.

TONYA: And then he gets this clarity and plans how he’ll go back. Even rehearses what he’ll say,

“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”

FATHER DON: Man, talk about swallowing your pride.

TONYA: And notice he says against heaven first. That’s saying it’s not just about him and his dad. It’s like he’s messed up the moral order, the spiritual side of things and being willing to be a servant. That shows he really gets how bad he screwed up.

FATHER DON: And then the father sees him way off in the distance and just runs to him. Runs. I mean, what does that say about forgiveness? The way the father acts, it’s like he’s so ready to forgive. It doesn’t matter what society thinks, what a father is supposed to do. It’s not, “Well, have you learned your lesson?” It’s just pure love, you know, even before the son can say anything. And for those in ministry, that’s important. It’s on us to reach out, to offer forgiveness, not wait for people to beg.

TONYA: And he doesn’t even let him finish his whole speech before bam. Best robe, ring, sandals. That’s more than just clothes, right? Those things mean something.

FATHER DON: Oh, yeah.

• The robe. It’s like covering his shame, but also restoring his dignity as a son.
• The ring that’s back in the family, trusted again, accepted,
• and sandals. Slaves went barefoot. So, giving him those says he’s free. A son, not a servant. It’s powerful.

The symbolism, a picture of total reconciliation.

TONYA: And then they party like the fattened calf. music, dancing. This isn’t just, “Oh, you’re back. Come in.” It’s a huge welcome home. How can priests and deacons like make that real in the church today?

FATHER DON: By making reconciliation a joyful thing, not scary. Welcoming people back, no judgment, celebrating the fact that they even had the courage to come back. Sharing stories of reconciliation, you know, without names, of course, so people can see it’s possible. It’s about healing, new life. That’s what forgiveness brings. Like the father’s joy in the story.

TONYA: But the story’s not over, right?

The older son comes back and uh, he’s not exactly thrilled. He’s mad about the party

FATHER DON: And that shows a different kind of distance. The younger son was gone physically and maybe spiritually, but the older one, he’s there the whole time, but emotionally he’s miles away. He complains, talks about working hard, being faithful, and how unfair it is to throw a party for this guy who blew all their money probably on, you know, women and whatever. There’s resentment there. Been building up for a long time.

TONYA: Is it like wrong for him to feel that way, though? Like if you’re the one is doing the right thing and someone else keeps messing up but gets forgiven easily. Can you blame him for feeling kind of ripped off?

FATHER DON: That’s a good point. Yeah. His feelings, even though they’re not the best, they’re real. He feels like nobody notices him. Like his loyalty doesn’t matter. And that happens in families, in communities. You know, one person carries the load, the other one keeps screwing up, but always gets a free pass .

TONYA: Yeah.

FATHER DON: Makes you think about how we treat those who are always there, always doing the right thing.

TONYA: And the father is so pat with him. He says, “My son, you are here with me always. Everything I have is yours.” It’s like, “Dude, don’t you get it? You already have everything.”

FATHER DON: Exactly. It’s not about earning love. It’s about just being his son. And when he says, “Be happy your brother’s back.” He’s saying family is more important than being fair about who gets what stuff.

TONYA: So for us listening, you know, how does this story, especially that part with the older son, make us think about how we forgive, how we welcome people back.

FATHER DON: It’s like, do we have any older brother in us? You know, resentment, jealousy, judging people who messed up. Do we think we’re so good that we can’t be happy when someone else gets forgiven? And for those in ministry, it’s a chance to talk about unity, empathy, celebrating when someone comes back, even if it makes some people uncomfortable.

TONYA: This whole parable is really, when you look at it, it’s about all of us, isn’t it? Wanting to be free, making bad choices, screwing up, needing to be forgiven, wanting to be accepted.

FATHER DON: Yeah. Both sons are like different sides of being human. The younger one’s that urge to explore, but then the pain of being alone.

The older ones about loyalty, but also resentment, thinking you’re better than others, and how that blocks love and connection.

TONYA: And the father, especially for Catholics, that’s God, right? Always watching, always waiting to welcome us back. That’s a big part of who we believe God is.

FATHER DON: Totally. It’s like God doesn’t love us because we’re good. He just loves us. And that’s the heart of the gospel message, forgiveness no matter what. And the joy when even one person is saved.

TONYA: So for those listening who are, you know, pastors, priests, deacons, what are some practical things they can do to bring the story to life for people today?

FATHER DON: Ask people to think about which son they’re more like and why. Use modern examples like

• a couple who almost divorced but worked it out or
• someone who beat addiction and got their family back.

When you preach,

• talk about the father’s love, how we should love each other that way.
• Make the church a place where people feel welcome even if they’ve been away.
• Help those who are holding grudges to let go through prayer counseling.
• Remind everyone that celebrating someone’s return turn isn’t saying what they did was okay. It’s about being happy they’re back, that their life is better.

TONYA: This deep dive really shows why this story, the prodigal son, is still so powerful, doesn’t it? It’s like a reflection of us, our struggles, our spiritual lives.

FATHER DON: For sure. It’s timeless. Speaks to us no matter what time period, what’s going on in our lives.

TONYA: So, to wrap things up, think about this in your own life, your community. How can you be more like the father? How can you build bridges, forgive? Maybe see if you’re being a bit of an older brother yourself. This story has a lot to teach us about what it means to really love and forgive.

Thanks for joining us for this deep dive.