Once upon a time there were two brothers who had a prosperous father and so enjoyed the benefits of wealth. One day one of the sons expressed to his father that he was tired of his life and that he wanted what was his so that he could go to new places and explore the wonders of the world. It broke his father’s heart but he gave him his inheritance; and off he went to the wonders of wine, women and song, and soon he was caught up in a life where to eat, drink and be merry were routines of his days.

One day his money ran out and, ironically, so did all the friends he had made in the new world. Suddenly he was alone, broke and friendless. In time he began to yearn for the good old days of his home and finally, broken, embarrassed, sad and alone he made his way back home. To his surprise his father was waiting for him and threw him a "coming home" party the likes of which he could never have imagined.

At this point the sins of the second son surface. Anger surged in him. Resentment at the fact that his father had never thrown him a party burned in his very soul. After all, he had been the faithful son, the good son, the son who always did what he was told. How could his father give a party for his brother when his brother had hurt his father so badly? The father explained that everything he had was available to him, everything. He thought he had lost a son only to find him again. How could life go on without a party?

Once upon a time a father had two prodigal sons. One looked better than the other but, make no mistake about it, they were both prodigals. The one was an obvious sinner; the other not so obvious.

Moral of the story? "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 3:23, 6:23). I think it is time for some parties around here.