The Elder Brother Stands Outside

He was in the field.

He had been in the field the whole time.

Working. Faithfully. Without a single day off.

He came near the house.

He heard music and dancing.

He called a servant and asked what was happening.

The servant told him: Your brother has come.

Your father has killed the fattened calf because he received him back safe and sound.

He was angry.

He refused to go in.

His father came out and entreated him.

He said: Look, these many years I have served you.

I never disobeyed your command.

Yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends.

But when this son of yours came — he did not say my brother, he said this son of yours —

Who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.

The father said: Son, you are always with me.

Everything I have 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.

The parable ends there.

The elder brother's answer is not recorded.

We don't know if he went in.

The music was still playing.

His brother was inside.

His father stood in the doorway.

And he was still outside.

He had not left for a far country.

He had stayed every day.

But the staying had not been love.

It had been contract.

Service in exchange for reward.

And when the reward went to someone he felt had not earned it, the contract was revealed.

Two sons.

One had run from the father.

One had stood beside him without ever knowing him.

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