Prodigal

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source prod·i·gal /ˈprɒdɪgəl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[prod-i-guhl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –adjective 1. wastefully or recklessly extravagant: prodigal expenditure. 2. giving or yielding profusely; lavish (usually fol. by of or with): prodigal of smiles; prodigal with money. 3. lavishly abundant; profuse: nature's prodigal resources. –noun 4. a person who spends, or has spent, his or her money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [Origin: 1500–10; back formation from prodigality] —Related forms prod·i·gal·ly, adverb —Synonyms 1. profligate. See lavish. 2, 3. copious, bounteous. 4. waster, wastrel. —Antonyms 1. cautious, provident. Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006. American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source prod·i·gal (prŏd'ĭ-gəl) Pronunciation Key adj. Rashly or wastefully extravagant: prodigal expenditures on unneeded weaponry; a prodigal life. Giving or given in abundance; lavish or profuse: prodigal praise. See Synonyms at profuse. n. One who is given to wasteful luxury or extravagance. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 15:2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 15:3 So he told them this parable: 15:11b "There was a man who had two sons. 15:12 The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. 15:13 A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 15:14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15:15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 15:16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 15:17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 15:18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' 15:20 So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 15:21 Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 15:22 But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 15:23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 15:24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. 15:25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 15:26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 15:27 He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 15:28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 15:29 But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 15:30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 15:31 Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 15:32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'" ............ When he came to himself, that is a key phrase of this parable. The son wished his father dead so he could have his share in the inheirtance. By doing this the son became dead to his family, his father and his brother. Not only was the son dead to his family but he became dead to himself. He lived without boundaries and without control. Only in the depths of hungry and despair does he come to himself and realize the foolishness of his choice. He would rather have material wealth that he could call his own rather than to live in his father's house. Jesus is illustrating how the established church should treat those live outside of the Church when they return. Jesus is living as the father in his own parable, eating in the homes of who the established Church of his time called sinners.