The Prodigal Son Story: So close to home actually.

This morning, I have a new reflection! Ever thought of ministry life in terms of the Prodigal Son?

Well it is simple really! For those of us who have joined / or are already in a youth ministry, we are like the Older son. For those who are not in ministry and also not interested, perhaps, more like (not all cases) the younger son.

Why? It's simply because we "work in our Father's Home" (aka... our church) and we labour for our Father (aka, do our work for our God)... and so forth. Whereas on the other hand, the youths who aren't "yet" in ministry are probably out there, spending their time away... doing their own things!

SEE The uncanny parallel?

And this brings us to reflection: Whether we actually like the Older Brother situation in this story at all, because for us in OLPS Youth, aka Youth Ministry, all of us are already in some ways like the Older Brother.

As the Older Brother, we must then ask ourselves:

1) What are we "toiling" in the fields for? Out of Love for God? or Love for the work (nah, who would) or Love for Self (i must work to gain my inheritance, my blessings from God)?

2) Are we concerned over our younger brother who is supposedly "lost" out there, or jealous that he has all the free time in the world to have fun, without having to "WORK"?

3) Are we enjoying our 'WORK' (aka all the stuff we do in church for others)? which will 'feed the Father's Family'? or complaining about it and the fellow workers in the field for all their errors / i don't like this fella / or so forth?

4) As the direct "family" of the Father, do we feel grateful to have food everyday (aka our daily MASS) given to us, or do we forget that we are so WELL FED?

5) Do we realise that we are actually "Found" not "Lost"?

6) Do we really know and love the Father? Work is not just about Work. Ministry is not just about doing. Do we have a relationship with the Father?


Meanwhile, do have good weekend and hope that next week we'll be able to collect lots of Dried/canned food for the needy at Marine Parade Family Services Centre!