Family. Few stand-alone words carry greater force in rallying the emotions. All kinds of feelings often lie poised to percolate in an instant at the mere mention of “family life.” Feelings we all know. They spring from memories out of our past. Feelings ranging from cozy and warm to jagged and piercing, depending on the relationships shared. Or not shared.

While writing this, fresh news came of the death of a dear friend’s father. My friend, Amit having received word of his dad suddenly falling ill – had arrived in India from the U.S. shortly before the passing. This father and son shared a close bond and, having now reached the homeland to console his mother, Amit joins her in the mourning.

Family ties run deep. Few narratives in all the world’s literature bring the truth home so powerfully as Jesus’ story of the lost (prodigal) son. And it is the Luke 15 parable – introduced, read, reread, contemplated and discussed – that ‘rocked the world’ of a long parade of students. Different groups, day after day and year after year, right after breakfast. Bear Trap’s 7 or 8 Family Groups, each comprised of eight or so sharp young students of varying nationalities, combed through the passage together. Sheer astonishment met most of them in the end. As outrageous selfishness collided with (and became undone by) outrageous mercy.

Again and again campus ministers facilitating these small group sessions were struck by “takeaways” confessed to by the internationals. Only rarely was a reader’s conscience convicted over sins of hedonism characterized by the self-indulgence and wild living marking the younger brother. Rather, many of these scholars from abroad (well-behaved, academically-focused) resonated keenly with the elder sibling. Who kept his nose clean but carried as much ‘heart-distance’ toward the father as did the scandalous kid brother.

Pride comes dressed in different garb.

– ©2024 Jerry Lout Writer/Speaker Jerry Lout grew up in Okmulgee County. Jerry’s “Living with a Limp” and “Giants in the Rough” are available through Amazon. Current projects include “Inside-Out” and “Thresholds” – a string of narratives highlighting surprises, sorrows and adventure in the post-Africa years. Jerry welcomes reader comments at jerrylout@gmail.com and 918-857-4373.