Jagadish “Jaggi” Vasudev, better known by the honorific title “Sadhguru,” an Indian yoga guru and proponent of spirituality once remarked: “Too many people are hungry not because there is dearth of food. It is because there is dearth of love and care in human hearts.” Matthew 4:4 confirms: But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Dearth is defined as a scarcity or lack of something. It is often used when referring to a prevalent shortage of food in poor countries throughout the world. But, it can also assimilate to other important aspects of life as well. It could include an undesirable paucity of love and compassion within a person. If these Godly facets are lacking, life for some could appear meaningless or dysfunctional. It is certainly not pleasing to God. The two feelings of love and compassion go hand-in-hand and although they hold individual and diverse meanings, amalgamated, they provide a bond of affection, understanding and empathy. Without these necessary attributes in a person, there is a definitive lack of fellow feeling which withholds an important message of grace, care and reassurance.
In the parable of the prodigal son, the primary message focuses on the forgiveness of faults. It includes the welcoming of someone who has strayed off the correct path in life back into the fold, celebrating the realization of error and seeking redemption.
Luke 15:11-32 reminds us: And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in.
His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
Favoritism or jealousy can invoke bad feelings in the best of people But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”
This story confirms the power of God’s unconditional love combined with the important element of compassion. Everybody makes mistakes in life. They may unwittingly choose the wrong path which can lead to bitterness and regret. Some people may regard faithfulness as pure obedience and perfection. However, life is not that simple.
If we never do wrong or commit sin, then what was the point or need of Jesus dying on the cross for our salvation? There is no such thing as a perfect life in humanity. Good people may try their best to live a life that can be considered close to this, but to actually achieve it would probably require divine intervention. Flaws are permissible in life provided we understand, repent and seek forgiveness.
Katherine Sherar Pannill Center, an American author of contemporary fiction once remarked: “I'd tried so hard to make a perfect, untouchable life for myself. But trouble finds you. Tragedy finds you. And we keep trying anyway. We hope for the best. We believe we can make something for ourselves - something good that will last - even though, at the exact same time, we know we can't.” Romans 12:2 confirms: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
For many, the ability to forgive and forget remains of prevalent importance and forms a major function in Christian ethics. In others, however, anger, jealousy, or a sense of favoritism may enter the equation and prevail in one’s heart. This casts out the love and compassion within. Ephesians 4:25-32 reminds us: “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Amen.
