阅读经文 

在1960年代，有两个二重唱歌手兴起，成为著名的“正义兄弟”乐队。

今天我们读到的这个耶稣所讲的比喻，可以命名为“不义的兄弟”。

故事中的两兄弟都认为自己应该享有特权。小儿子显然是不义的，尽管父亲仍在世，他竟然要求父亲把他应得的家业分给他！大儿子虽然留在家里和努力工作，但他的为人也算不上美德的典范。看到父亲竟然在那不顾后果的弟弟身上浪费一头肥牛犊，他感到非常愤怒。

两兄弟都需要得到饶恕。小儿子知道这一点，所以他说：“父亲！我得罪了天，又得罪了你。”可是大儿子却完全不自知，他唯一的反应，就是以铁石心肠对待他的弟弟和宽容的父亲。

两兄弟都已经得到父亲慷慨的赐与。小儿子时候未到便已经得到他应得的产业，而他更不配得到一个欢迎他回家的庆典。父亲也提醒大儿子：“你常和我同在，我一切所有的都是你的。”一个儿子得到双重的赐与，而另一个则蒙应许得到所有的。就如一首雄伟的圣诗所说的：“真神慈悲宽广如海洋。”

In the 1960s a musical duo emerged and became famous as The Righteous Brothers.

Jesus’ parable that we have read today could be titled “The Unrighteous Brothers.”

Both of the brothers in this story felt entitled. Clearly, the younger son was unrighteous, demanding his share of his father’s estate even before the father was dead! And the older son, though he stayed and worked hard for the family, was no paragon of virtue. He was furious that his father would waste even one calf on his reckless younger brother.

Both needed forgiveness. The younger brother realized it, saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” But the older brother didn’t have a clue. His only response was a heart of stone toward his brother and toward his forgiving father.

Both had received their father’s generosity. The younger brother was given his inheritance before it was due, and he did not deserve a welcome-home party. And as the father reminded the older son, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours.” The one son was blessed twice; the other son was promised everything. In the words of a grand hymn, “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy.”