The older brother is an interesting character and one, I guess that we can all relate to at certain points in our lives. He is not best pleased at the situation and he sulks, swears, kicks a few things around and is generally peeved at what is happening.

The most annoying thing in this story is that we are left hanging in mid air with what the older brother does. Does he join the party and welcome his brother back, or does he disappear off in a fit of rage. Certainly I can feel his anger as he looks around him.

He comes home, he’s worked hard for ages. He’s been fattening the calf for a special occasion. He’s done the ‘right thing’ all the time and how he is back! The best day of his life was when he disappeared!

I work harder than you. I do everything around here. How dare they do that. Who does she think she is coming here now and expecting this. How can they possibly take the credit for this when I have done the work. What right has he to say that. Why do they think like that about her – can’t they all see what she is really like? Well they needn’t ask me because I have better things to do! They won’t listen to me – but they’ll learn!

These, and attitudes like them, are all comments of the older son. The older son always has to be right. They know best. They are wrapped up in themselves and are more concerned for’justice’ rather than what is right and love.

During the times I concentrated on the older brother it was horrible to see some of the traits in my life. The characteristics of the older brother do us harm. They harm our relationship with others and our relationship with God.

If we start to think too much like the older brother we can become narrow minded. We can become cynical and we see hidden agendas from people where there are none. We stop trusting others and we become bitter, unattractive and forgettable people. Is that why the older brother was left in the field with no one remembering to go and call him back for the party.

The older brother feels he serves more, but actually he has it all and does not realise it. His father even reminds him of this:

‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’

The older brother in us looks at others and wishes we have what they have. He judges others without looking at himself. He wants more but is blind to the fact that he has it all, always has and always will.

The older brother challenges me to be more grateful and gracious. What other reaction can there be if I have it all?