There Was a Man Who Had Two Sons

Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 1

There was a man who … had two sons. © the Reverend Charles M. Bidwell, PhD, Southminster-Steinhauer United Church, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Luke 15:11-32

5 Roles: Father Mother Aaron (older son) Barach (younger son) and Narrator

Narrator: There was a man who had two sons. That’s how the story of a relationship begins in Luke’s telling of what Jesus told, but you can just as easily think of it as a person who had two children. The point is that it is about fairly ordinary people in relationship to one another. We have sparse information about the people in this story; a bare minimum of descriptions. We have very little indication of the people’s motivation; we are left mainly with observing what they do and listening between the lines of what they say. In order to make the words on the page come a bit more to life, we have amplified the text into a bit of a play. We have dared to invent speeches where none occurred in the original. These are interpretations and you are just as free to ignore them as we have been to create them. The point is that the parent earnestly wants to stay in relationship with each of their quite different children. This story is not told to be a model of how to be a parent; it is a story about a person who chooses how he will live in a complex relationship with sons who want him to be a different father than what he wants to be. No one can tell another how to live out their story and the parables make no such attempt. Each character must live out the consequences of their own way of being. Bear with us as we present our version of this parable from Jesus. Oh yes, and just as in the other stories Jesus told, be prepared for a surprise, for something unexpected.

[The brothers enter and each mimes doing a different task.]

Narrator: Our play opens with a scene where the two brothers are working together. They could be out in their father’s fields or barn as would be probable in Luke’s time, or they could be working in their parent’s business today. Let’s listen to a possible conversation depicting their relationship. Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 2

Aaron - Be careful how you do that.

Barach - I’ve done this so many times. Have I ever messed it up?

Aaron - Don’t get snippy with me. I just want it done right.

Barach - I am so tired of being your assistant.

Aaron - Well, what can you do about that?

Barach - I’ve been thinking a lot about that. No matter how hard I work, you’re the first-born and you’ll inherit this whole thing when Father dies and I’ll still be your assistant. It feels like a life sentence to me and I want out.

Aaron - What a dreamer. You on your own. Get real.

Barach - You’ll never credit me with having equal skill and sense to you, so why should I hang around?

Aaron - What else can you do little brother?

Barach - That’s for me to discover.

Aaron - I’ll bet. Now get on with that job.

[They go off in opposite directions.]

Narrator: That’s a guess on our part, since it isn’t in the original parable. But something like that must have been going through the younger son’s head to make him talk to his father the way he does next. Oh, by the way, we’ve also given names to the boys – Aaron is the older and Barach is about to have a serious talk with his Father.

[Father enters and sits, then younger, Barach, enters and talks with his father.]

Barach - Father, I’ve had it with being treated like a second-class member of this family and I want out. Give me my share of the family estate; I’m leaving home. Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 3

Father - Barach, my boy, that would mean that you are treating me as if I were dead and the estate was being divided among my heirs. That will also leave me with much less of what I possess to manage this home and our family.

Barach - I am only asking for what will be rightfully mine. I intend to strike out on my own. I have no intention of living the rest of my life as Aaron’s assistant and so I’m leaving for good. Do I go with nothing or are you going to give me what’s due to me?

Father - Barach, are you certain that this is what you want to do? Have you talked this over with you mother?

Barach - Yes, I’ve given it serious consideration. I lie awake at night thinking and plotting what I want to do with the rest of my life. And no, I haven’t told Mother. She’ll only try to persuade me to stay with pleading and guilt trips and finally weeping. I can’t see any point in putting both of us through that.

Father - Let me think about this for a day or two and we will talk more then. Besides it will take me some time and effort to prepare your share of the estate in a form you can take with you.

Barach - Okay, but I’m serious and I’ll go with nothing if that’s what it takes.

Father - I hear you. Now get back to work.

Narrator: That seems a bit extreme doesn’t it. I don’t know about you, but I never thought about the consequences to the father and the family when I heard this story before. Familiarity can numb us to the details of the situation and we can just let the story flow over us and miss its implications. In the words of the story, “And he divided his living” we hear that the father gave in to his young son’s request. Would you expect that? Would you give one of your children their share in your will today? That’s what surprised me. This father is prodigal in his extravagance – even jeopardizing his family’s and his own livelihood. Anyway, time passes Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 4

and the father is prepared to give his son the property that falls to him. Listen to their talk at that time.

[Again, the father enters and sits and then the younger son enters.]

Father - Barach, I’ve thought about you and what you are proposing and I will give you your share of the estate. There will be nothing more for you in the future so manage it wisely.

Barach - Thank you.

Father - Your mother and I will miss you greatly and so will Aaron.

Barach - Yeah, it’ll mean he will have to do all his own work because this will all be his when you die.

Father - And you are treating me as if I were dead already. But if you must leave, I don’t want you to be penniless so here is your share.

Barach - I will leave tomorrow.

Father - And be brave enough to tell your mother. It would be cruel to leave without giving her a chance to say “Goodbye” and give you her blessing if that is what is in her heart to give you.

Barach - I will, now that I have what I need to be able to leave with or without her blessing.

Narrator: Something has now changed in their relationship. They are no longer tied together by inheritance as the older brother remains bonded to his father. It is as if the younger son is divorcing himself from the family and the father is allowing, even aiding this change of relationship. It is as if he were dying to his son. The son is treating him as if he were dead. Well, at least he has the strength of character to tell his mother himself, rather than leaving that to his father or older brother. After all it is his story to tell and she deserves the chance to say her parting words. So later that day …

[Mother enters and sits and then Barach comes in.] Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 5

Barach - Mother, I have been unhappy for years and I cannot stand the thought of being Aaron’s helpmate for the rest of my life. Can you understand that?

Mother - Yes, I have noticed your reluctance to go to work each day and the shadow that seems to keep you down most of the time.

Barach - So I have asked Father for my share of the estate and I’m leaving home tomorrow.

Mother - Barach, how can you do that? Your father is not yet dead.

Barach - Obviously, but I’m dying here and so I’m going in search of life and I’m leaving in the morning.

Mother - So suddenly, Barach! I will not have time to prepare a farewell feast for you and invite guests.

Barach - I don’t want a party. I want to get going. I have longed for this freedom for so long that waiting even for a party is so frustrating especially now when I have the means to make it on my own.

Mother - Then you must leave as you see fit, but before you go I need to warn you that there are people out in the world who are not to be trusted as easily as you trust us, your family. Believe it or not, we have your best interests at heart and are not motivated by greed to relieve you of your money. There are people out in the city who will befriend you to get access to your money and what you buy you can lose.

Barach - I hear you. Thanks for the advice.

Mother - I pray that Yahweh will bless you and keep you safe. Live long and prosper, my baby.

Barach - You see, even you won’t let me grow up and be an equal adult. I’m still your baby boy!

Mother - I meant you no disrespect, Barach. I was just expressing my grief at losing the last baby I ever had. Go in Yahweh’s care and with my blessing, my son and please keep in touch. Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 6

Barach - Thanks.

[Barach leaves first and mother slowly, reluctantly goes in the opposite direction.]

Narrator: They part and the next morning the brothers also part.

[Aaron comes in first and Barach follows.]

Aaron - Hurry up, Barach, I want to get that job we were working on yesterday finished today.

Barach - Then get at it. I’m out of here.

Aaron - What are you talking about?

Barach - I told you I wanted out. Father gave me my inheritance and so I’m on my way today.

Aaron - Your inheritance – like he was dead or something! You bull- headed lad. That will leave us with much less to live on but I guess you already realized that. Manage it well, for it is now your estate to hand on to your children. Where will you go and what will you do to earn a living?

Barach - I’ll manage. Don’t worry about me.

Aaron - I give up. Go if you must. I’ve got to get to work especially since now I’ll have to do it all on my own.

Barach - I’m glad to hear that you’ll miss me.

Aaron - That’s how I’ll remember you - snide remarks. Good bye.

Narrator: Not a happy ending to that scene, but then parting is painful and some people hide the pain with anger. It now occurs to me that the man who had two sons is in danger of being a man with one son and if the older brother follows suit, then he could end up being a man with no sons and no livelihood. But that is not this story. Now Barach has access to more Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 7

possessions than he ever has in his entire life and he goes forth to live as he has always dreamed of doing. He has no experience managing money and gets carried away with the impression that he is wealthy. After a few years, he has wasted all he has – no investment, no development, no purchasing of his own property – his inheritance is gone and he has earned so little that he is now sitting in misery. The country where he now lives is in a financial depression and he has had to become dependent on another. His self-indulgence has destroyed many relationships and he is no longer independent. Again he wanted more than he had. Let’s listen to him as he talks to himself.

[Barach sits alone.]

Barach - Another day and what have I got to show for it? Only enough money for some fast food and a second-hand pair of socks. What am I doing here anyway? Where is all this leading me? It all started out so well and then in a very short time it all went so badly. I got everything that I wanted and I wanted a lot, but in time I ran out of money and ended up with nothing to show for it. Mother was right, of course, the so-called friends I gained came with the money I spent and when that started to run low they wandered off and now no one will give me anything. I’m now working for minimum wage. I was doing more useful work back with my brother. I have learned that I’m no manager of money, but what good is that lesson to me now? I’d be better off working as an employee back with my father. How humiliating! Still, this life below the poverty line is also killing my spirit. Which is the lesser of the two evils? I may not be a money manager but I’m bright enough to know that answer. But how can I return after asking for all I was entitled to? I guess I’ll plead for forgiveness and ask to be employed like any other labourer. I have the skills and experience they needed once. What have I got to lose?

[He rises and walks “toward home”, perhaps around the audience while the narrator speaks.]

Narrator: So as Jesus told it, he has come to himself. We can read that as ‘he came to his senses’, but they remained focussed on himself, his wants. Now what can he expect on going home? He has received everything he Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 8

was entitled to so there is nothing to claim. He senses this and prepares another of his manipulating speeches.

[Barach talks as he walks slowly around.]

Barach - I better have a good speech prepared, after all I didn’t show much respect, let alone love for my family when I left. Let’s see. How about, “Father, I have wronged you and I now regret it. I am hardly worthy to be considered your son. I have no further claim on the family estate. All I ask is that you consider hiring me as a worker like any other person you might need.” I think Aaron will give me a fair reference. That’s what I’ll say.

Narrator: It was probably a longer journey than this, but we’ll imagine that after a couple of days he reaches the lane or sidewalk of his parents home and pauses to rehearse his speech.

[Barach stands still and his Father rushes to welcome him.]

Father - Barach, my boy, welcome home.

Barach - Father, I have …

Father - [interrupting him] Don’t say another word. I am so happy to see you. We hadn’t heard anything from or of you and we almost thought you were dead. [calling loudly] Mother, come here. Barach has come home.

Barach - Father, I have wronged you and I now regret it. I am hardly worthy to be considered your son. [pause]

Narrator: [speaking to Barach] Is that all? You left out the bit about “ I have no further claim on the family estate. All I ask is that you consider hiring me as a worker like any other person you might need.” Boy, when you see that you don’t need to give more than that, you drop it. What a selfish opportunist.

Father - [to Narrator] Don’t interrupt. [turning to Barach] When you left, I was very sad. You and I were treating each other as if we had died to each other and I have been grieving for years. It all seemed so unreal and unfinished to me. I Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 9

imagined you grieving as well. Look at you. No shoes – that’s a sign of grieving. No cloak – another signal to others that someone is grieving.

Narrator: This father has surprised me again. Obviously the son is returning with nothing – not even shoes and a robe, but the father embraces him with no scolding, no reprimand, not even a need for an explanation.

[Mother enters quietly.]

Father - What losses you must have had, I cannot dare imagine. But your grief is now over. [calling to his wife] Mother, come quickly.

Mother - I’m here already. You were talking so excitedly you didn’t notice. Barach, my boy. [he winces] Sorry, it’s out of habit and fondness. Welcome home Barach. I am happy to see you. Why have you no shoes or robe? Anyone would think you were in mourning. Never mind, I’ll get you some.

[Mother starts to leave.]

Father - [to mother] And start preparing a party. We didn’t get to give him one when he left, but we can sure give him one now that he’s back.

Barach - Father, I have …

Father - Not another word. Go take a long bath and rest, while Mother gets your shoes and robe and we cook up a veal roast for the party. Oh, what a feast we’ll have to celebrate your return to our lives. Go on.

[Barach leaves and Father heads off to kitchen.]

Narrator: For generations we’ve called this the story of the prodigal son. Prodigal isn’t a word we use today. It means, or meant years ago, to be overly generous, extravagant, almost wasteful in giving. Hmm, now that seems to me to apply more to the father. He was so eager to restore the relationship that he is now giving much more than he should be able to afford. He is even starting to spend the share of the family estate that is the older brothers. Never thought about that. Anyway, the older brother gets wind of the fuss going on at home and calls his father to explain. Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 10

[Let there be some Jewish music in the background and then Aaron comes front and centre.]

Aaron - [calling] Father, what’s going on?.

Father - [appearing in a fancy robe] Oh, Aaron, I’m glad you’re here. Barach has returned and we’re having a veal roast in his honour.

Aaron - [angrily] What! I work faithfully all these years and you never throw a party for me, but Barach takes his share of the family estate and leaves you dependant on me and you welcome him home with a banquet! I don’t think so. Where’s the justice in that? I’ll be damned if I’m going to celebrate his return. What does he want now – even more from us? Count me out. I’ll eat in the kitchen.

Father - Aaron, this is not about justice. This about love and rejoicing that the son I thought I had lost – who was acting as if I had died – has returned for whatever reason and we are together again. You have always been here, shared your mother’s and my love; we have lost no time of being together, but we lost Barach – even though it was of his doing – and now he is back in the family. Can’t you join us in our happiness?

Aaron - I don’t understand you. Barach abuses you, takes from your living and wastes it and you don’t care. You have been taken and now you will take him in. This is my estate now, but I will continue to respect your wishes. You want to welcome him home; so be it, but I’ll be in the kitchen.

Father - Have it your way. You are as bull-headed as Barach. You are brothers in more ways than one, son. See you later. [turns to go away]

Aaron - Yeah. It’s like he can do nothing to sever his relationship with you.

Father - [turns back to Aaron] I intend to have a close relationship with my sons no matter what, if at all possible and he has returned to make that possible. I thought my son was as if dead to me but he has come back to life – into my life.

Aaron - You are that determined to be in relationship with him! Bidwell: The Father of Two Sons 11

Father - I am; I am.

[They depart in opposite directions.]

Narrator: There was a man who had two sons. The prodigal or extravagant father has the last word. Jesus never says what happened next. The father’s story has come to the conclusion he sought. Once again he is a man who has two sons.