The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt

“My child, you’re always with me. Everything I have is yours.” (Luke 15: 31, God’s Word Translation)

A father’s words to his son in this parable echo the promise and guarantee of our Father-Mother to each one of us.

In this teaching story that Jesus gave us, the prodigal son strays from home and wastes away his inheritance behaving badly and without a good sense of morality. When he returns home in rags and in shame, his father welcomes him with love and a feast. His son has returned home—has come to recognize the necessity of goodness and the value of gratitude.

This prodigal son’s brother had remained home with his father, faithfully carrying out his work and living a righteous life. He becomes angry and envious when this errant brother is given such a celebration, and he himself hasn’t received such a party.

His father’s answer to this son is instructive. This obedient son who stayed by his father’s side was never without the father’s kindness, the treasures of being loved, just as we are never without the Father-Mother’s protection and affection.

The prodigal son didn’t gain anything new by returning home. He just became aware of what love and goodness truly meant. He became conscious of how much he needed his father. Likewise, the prodigal’s brother also was made aware in this rich lesson, of what had always been his. He could no longer take it for granted.

We are always with God, no matter where we go or what our state of thought may be. We are one with Him, beloved children held warmly and safely in His thought, and supplied with every right idea. We don’t need to do anything to get this inheritance nor can we lose it. All that is needed is awareness, acceptance, and gratitude.

These messages are based on passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. These books are our “pastor” in Christian Science. Come back every Tuesday and Thursday for fresh inspiration. Or get a free subscription to receive an inspirational message like this one every weekday morning directly to your inbox by contacting me at lauramoliter@gmail.com.  Put “subscribe” in the subject line. A downloadable compilation of categorized messages is also available by request.