As many times as I have read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 I have never wandered beyond the three characters – the father and the two sons. I have often played the mind game of which of the three I am, which of the two brothers or the father, and concluded I am different ones at various time). Today, duh, I recognized that there were more than three characters in this drama. In fact, the story is full of people playing various roles. I am sure the younger son did not “waste his substance on riotous living” alone. He had help from many, including the “harlots” his older brother refers to. Then there was the citizen of another country who hired the younger son. Once the prodigal son approaches his home we have servants getting robes and rings and shoes, and others killing and preparing the fatted calf and other things for the feast. We have musicians playing the tunes that provide notice to the older brother of the party. Then we have the servant who has the task of telling the older brother what all the hubbub is about as the brother returns from the field. There is, in sum, a whole cast of characters all of whom play an integral part in the story.
It occurs to me that this is, of course the story of life, any life, my life. There are lots of characters involved in each person’s story. Each person of course plays the central role in his/her own story, but also a supporting role of some type in the story of many others. That supporting role may be anything from a speaking role central to the story, or a “bit role” of someone who, as a doorman, opens the door for the main character hurriedly entering or leaving. The supporting role many be that of the cab driver who silently drives someone from one location to another. There are many roles in each story.
It occurs to me... 