Admitting you have made a mistake is often deemed to be career suicide in today’s society. While it is said that we want those in public life to be honest with us, any such admission is deemed a sign of weakness, and can result in us questioning that person’s judgement on any future matter. 

This week's news

After the Conservative Party’s poor showing at the recent Eastleigh by-elections, some Tories are asking the Prime Minister to change political direction. 
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez succumbs to cancer leaving the nation’s future open. 
The UK fares badly in the European health league tables.
NHS chief executive, Sir David Nicholson , is under fire for his handling of Mid-Staffordshire Trust.

Reflection

In the light of the Conservative Party’s ‘disastrous’ third place showing at the recent Eastleigh by-election, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, has been encouraged by those on the right wing of his party to adopt policies that would appeal to ‘True Blue’ Tories. The Prime Minister is adamant that he is pursuing the right policies for the Coalition Government and the country, and argues that he has no intention of changing course. 

Mr Cameron is keen to emphasise that he is showing strong leadership, and he is, to quote that old war-time phrase, ‘keeping calm and carrying on’. 

At certain times, leaders have been commended – even vindicated – for being stubborn or principled when it comes to making important decisions. Winston Churchill was a leader who ‘held his nerve’ in challenging times, while another former Conservative Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher (the ‘Iron Lady’), made a virtue out of her suggestion that the ‘lady is not for turning’. 

The question is, at what point does single-mindedness or being resolute tip over into being stubborn or pig-headed? 

In today’s Scripture reading we consider Jesus’ parable of what some call the ‘Prodigal Son’, which is a story about impetuosity, carelessness, repentance, forgiveness and celebration. 

The unnamed ‘Prodigal’ was headstrong and single-minded, and like many folk today, he had little time for deferred gratification. He wanted to get access to lots of money so that he could live life in the fast lane. (Luke 15.13)

One of the key aspects of the story was the young man’s realisation that he had made a real mess of his life – he had made the wrong choices. (Luke 15.17-18) We all know people who have made similar types of mistakes, but have adhered to the maxim ‘You've made your bed, and you'll have to lie in it’. There is a stubborn streak in all of us that does not want to admit that we are wrong (both to ourselves and others); despite the fact we know something is wrong, we sometimes like to carry on regardless.  

It is also sign of strength and not weakness to admit that you are wrong, because such an admission often opens us up to ridicule and scorn – and we need to be strong to handle this. Let us not forget that while his father showed him compassion and unconditional love, the Prodigal’s elder brother had only anger and contempt for his sibling. (Luke 15.28-29) And while we appreciate honesty from those in whom we place our trust, the human response is often to trust them a little less after they have acknowledged their errors.

It is important to recognise that it is not how or where a person ‘starts’, but where he or she ‘ends up’ that matters to God. (Luke 15.31) The young man in today’s parable lacked good judgement at the start of the story; however, he was no doubt a wiser, chastened individual after his unfortunate experience. We have all made bad choices in our lives and found ourselves passing through ‘dim tunnels’ of our own making. It is vital that we ‘come to our senses’ and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us into God’s light.

Prayer

This can be used as a prayer of thanksgiving at the start of a service.

Loving Lord,
you are the devoted father
 whose unconditional love  is such that you give us choices; 
at times our choices are not those you would want us to make. 

We thank you that your love is never failing 
and when we call out to you in our moments of need 
you respond with love rather than judgemental sentiments.

Make us more like the Prodigal’s father than his brother, 
and fill us with your Holy Spirit 
to reach out to those who are victims of their mistakes, 
rejoicing with you when they ‘come to their senses’. 
This we ask in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Questions

• Is changing one’s mind ever a sign of weakness? 
• When does strong-minded become pig-headed?

Action

Today’s story focuses on the tripartite relationship of a father and his two sons. Of the three characters, we would all like to see ourselves displaying the father’s loving, merciful qualities. However, we are probably more like the two brothers than we would like to admit. How can we become more like the father and less like the sons?

Young People

This parable provides much food for thought on the moral choices that face younger people. Organise a discussion to consider:

• How to make the right choices, when doing the right thing is seen as ‘un-cool’ 
• Instant gratification versus deferred gratification
• Peer pressure and role models.

Richard Reddie is a writer and researcher. His latest book, Martin Luther King Jr: History Maker is published by Lion Hudson. He worships at St James’ Church, West Streatham, London.

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