I have read the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) so many times, but it never dawned on me that it is a story of human loneliness in light of the Father’s love. I never saw that perspective until a few years ago, and ironically, when I was doing my rosary on an early morning run. The message of recognition of His love and conversion of heart is still there and is very important, but much more, though, it shows how lonely both the youngest and oldest sons are in their lives. Hence, I will try to demonstrate and draw out this important lesson as I reflect on our human loneliness in light of His love for us.
If you pay attention to the details of the parable, you will see that the youngest son was lost and lonely before he left his father. Even though he was living at home, close to his father, he did not know who he was and where he belonged. Since he did not know what gave him joy, he thought that leaving home would give him more happiness. He did not understand his father’s love and took for granted the blessings he was receiving because all he could see was how choking, burdensome, and unhappy he was because he did not get to do whatever he wanted to be happy. Hence, he chose to leave his father’s house because he thought that the world would give him more freedom, pleasure, and happiness.
Sad but understanding, his father agreed to let his youngest son go…
We can see from the parable that the youngest son continued to be lonely. He spent money on prostitutes and a life of dissipations, but he was never fulfilled or satisfied. He had a lot of acquaintances and people who hung around him for the joy and pleasure he was able to provide with his money, but he really had no friends or anyone who really loved him. He had a lot of people who, all of a sudden, liked his company, but they never really loved him. He was with many people who wanted something from him or just wanted his company in good times, but they left when he ran out of money and fell into tough times. None of his so-called “friends” really cared for him! All that time, he continued to be lonely, all alone by himself, even though he was in the company of many.
We see this, too, in our own current day and age, where many people have many followers, viewers, patrons, and friends on social media and other social interactions, but really have none. So many people are seeking happiness and affirmation in all the wrong places, and they choose to come to each other in good times to make each other feel good, but they remain lonely, isolated, and sad because they really have nothing to give, offer, and share with one another. When we choose to seek shallow, hedonistic, and good-time companies, we really have nothing at the end of the day because those people come and go based on what they like. There is no true relationship, love, and care when there is no depth and substance! Therefore, no matter how many “friends” and acquaintances we might have on social media or typical hedonistic outlets, we have no one at all because we remain alone even though we might be surrounded by many.
In a similar way, the oldest son was all alone and isolated, even though he was living at home. He was so locked up in his own little world that he missed out what he had all along. He was too busy comparing himself with what he did not have that he missed the point and became envious, jealous, and miserable in his own existence. Therefore, when he saw that the youngest son returned, he was filled with fury because he thought he had never been recognized, appreciated, or loved by his father. Even though he was living at home, he was never home because he was isolated and lonely — by himself.
Both sons were lonely and sad because they never knew who they were. They looked to other places and people but remained unhappy and sad because they were searching for something that they never seemed to have. They never felt they belonged or took the time to search and understand who they are in the light of the Father’s love. They were busy comparing themselves or looking for false affirmations at the wrong places and with the wrong people. Hence, we can see this in our own age and time, too, where we have seen many popular, admired, and influential people who have many followers and have traveled the whole world, but are still lonely. Their lives might become an object of envy for many, but they are miserable and suffering deeply from within.
I am a big fan of many Travel Channel series, vloggers, cultural and food-centered travel figures. I love to see, through their eyes, the different uniqueness of new cultures and foods. However, I have also come to recognize that they are some of the loneliest people on earth. Even though they get to meet new people and live new experiences, they do not have any real life-giving and meaningful relationships, being constantly on the move, away from family and friends, and have no stability in life. Popular figures like Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, and the like have talked about it in their interviews. We can also read between the lines and hear from others who have expressed their state of uncertainty, meaningless existence, and struggles to cope with being “homeless” and lonely. They might be with so many other people who like their company, but many of them suffer from depression and other psychological illnesses because of the deep loneliness that they feel deep within.
All of us, no matter what state of life we might be in, will experience temporary stages of loneliness. We will emotionally or sentimentally feel like we are alone or cannot be understood at times, even if we are happy with our vocation and are loved by the people who are in our lives. There are certain things that can never be understood or shared with others, because we are meant to hold these matters intimate, sacred, and dear to our hearts. Those things can, at times, create a certain sense of loneliness and create some creative tensions. Nonetheless, sentiments, emotions, and feelings come and go!
Therefore, do not abandon hope as we struggle to recognize loneliness and deal with it. Do not abandon your faith! Do not abandon God, for He will not abandon you. Start to listen to what your soul and spirit are trying to say. It is important not to ignore or mask the deeper hunger and thirst that your heart of hearts is calling out for! Just as this physical world was created from the initial spark of immense light and outburst of radiating energy through the will and power of God, darkness is only a negation of what is life-giving and central to the universe, which is light itself. Hence, darkness is not the end of all things, for it is there to simply point out the greater need for light. Darkness is only the absence of this life-giving light of divine grace.
When you or someone you know is struggling with loneliness, try to reach out and find help, for we are not alone, nor ever meant to be alone. Find someone whom you can trust to confide your problems and able to show you another perspective and the holistic outlook on life. Find a spiritual director or guide to help you along the way. Do not be afraid or think that you are alone in the present struggle, for many others, including saints, have had their own struggles in their own life and faith journeys.
In our sorrows and love for those who had gone astray, we are invited to share in the love of our Heavenly Father, who patiently waited for us to return to Him each time we strayed away from His love. It hurts and causes much pain, but we can now see how much our own past rebellions have hurt those who are in our lives as well. Just as our Heavenly Father lovingly waits for our return, we are taught to be patient and lovingly pray for our loved ones when they are away from us. These are the times to practice the virtue of hope as we trust in divine providence and as we learn to lovingly pray to the Lord, entrusting and believing in His infinite wisdom and goodness, that He understands our pains and cares for our loved ones and their salvation more than we can ever imagine.
Whether we are struggling with loneliness or love someone who is struggling or has lost their way, we know that we are not alone. Even in our darkest times, God is with us. He is with us even when we cannot recognize or see Him with our human senses. Yet, even when we feel that we are stuck in our self-created or evil-inflicted despair and doubts, do not be afraid, nor lose hope. Let us trust in God and be faithful in prayer! Our human loneliness, even though hard and challenging to bear at times, is a great reminder that our hearts yearned to be loved by Him. We need to listen and respond by coming back home to the Father’s love because it is where we belong, and our hearts yearn to be back.
Do not be afraid to return to Him and find our way back… He is only a prayer away!