The Parable of the Son
There was a wealthy widower who was a great art lover. He is famous for his collection of the Masters in the world of painting. He also has a son whom he loves so much. In fact, a portrait of his son is displayed along the paintings of the Masters. Father and son died in an accident, but the father was able to leave behind a last will and testament where he stated that the paintings are to be sold in auction beginning with the portrait of his son.
During the auction, many people came, eager to buy the works of the Masters. The family lawyer started the auction with the portrait of the son first. “Who wants the portrait of the son?” he asked. No one responded. He asked a second time, and a third time, but they all shouted back, “We don’t want the son! We want the works of the Masters!”
Suddenly, someone from the back shouted, “I’ll take it!” He was the former gardener of the father and son. “How much will you give for it?” the lawyer asked. “I can only give $20.” The lawyer then announced, “We have here $20; will anyone give more?” Someone from the crowd shouted, “Give it to him for $20. We don’t want the son!” The lawyer then said, “Well then, it is sold for $20.” When he took the portrait of the son and gave it to the gardener, a small piece of paper fell — a portion of the father’s Last Will and Testament. It read, “He who takes the portrait of my son, gets all the other portraits. He who loves my son, loves me as well.” The auction was over.
Jesus laments the sad reality in the Gospel. He came into the world, “but the world refuse to believe in me.” The prophets and evangelists shout, “Who would take the son?” But just like in the story, we reply, “We don’t want the Son. We want something else!” We are actually saying, “We don’t want Jesus! We want the works of the masters: power, money, pleasure.” Just like in the story, the Father wants us to take the Son because if we have the Son, we have everything else. The Father wants us to have Jesus, for if we have Him, we will have everything else. Fr. Joel Jason
REFLECTION QUESTION: Does God occupy the highest place in the hierarchy of your desires?
“Like a deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul yearns for You, my God.”
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