THE TABLE IS SET:
You should know the parable of the prodigal son. The younger of two brothers born to a wealthy family demands his inheritance while his father still lives. He then travels abroad where he “wasted his substance on riotous living.” A moderately riotous life is something many of us can relate to, particularly on week-ends. But this boy literally reaches bottom in a pigsty, and decides to make for home. He’s not looking for money, or even redemption, but what he finds is more tangible than cash and more transformative than pity.
He finds his father’s arms, and in doing so, himself.
I am of the opinion that this story is about more than managing finances wisely – that’s just not what Jesus seemed to be about. But the “substance” surrendered during this lost week-end (or six) was priceless. The prodigal son lost the life he went looking for, the life he had all along. At least that’s my prodigal story.
Without getting into too much detail, my version of living riotously had little (regrettably) to do with sex and drugs and rock and roll. It was more about trying too desperately to be in control as opposed to being too recklessly out of it. Maybe it’s the frustrated artist in me, but the challenge of making the world around me appear as I imagined it in my head was too daunting, too difficult to capture in fine line or broad strokes. So eventually I quit trying.
There’s something to be said for youthful idealism and unfounded hope. Rebecca Solnit, in her wonderful book Hope in the Dark explains that sometimes we win without realizing that we’ve done it, that so much immeasurable progress is made in slow steps as opposed to large leaps. I think Solnit would argue that focusing too narrowly on the finish line causes us to lose sight of the dangers that can lie ahead, that the idea of not moving far enough fast enough often defeats the beauty and force that comes from moving at all. Those dangers are despair, cynicism, apathy, hate.
This project is an attempt to honor the inheritance I thought I squandered. As I write, I can hear the father’s words: “…be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
He finds his father’s arms, and in doing so, himself.
I am of the opinion that this story is about more than managing finances wisely – that’s just not what Jesus seemed to be about. But the “substance” surrendered during this lost week-end (or six) was priceless. The prodigal son lost the life he went looking for, the life he had all along. At least that’s my prodigal story.
Without getting into too much detail, my version of living riotously had little (regrettably) to do with sex and drugs and rock and roll. It was more about trying too desperately to be in control as opposed to being too recklessly out of it. Maybe it’s the frustrated artist in me, but the challenge of making the world around me appear as I imagined it in my head was too daunting, too difficult to capture in fine line or broad strokes. So eventually I quit trying.
There’s something to be said for youthful idealism and unfounded hope. Rebecca Solnit, in her wonderful book Hope in the Dark explains that sometimes we win without realizing that we’ve done it, that so much immeasurable progress is made in slow steps as opposed to large leaps. I think Solnit would argue that focusing too narrowly on the finish line causes us to lose sight of the dangers that can lie ahead, that the idea of not moving far enough fast enough often defeats the beauty and force that comes from moving at all. Those dangers are despair, cynicism, apathy, hate.
This project is an attempt to honor the inheritance I thought I squandered. As I write, I can hear the father’s words: “…be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
FIND YOUR SEAT:
So what do I have in mind? My goal with Prodigal’s Chair is simple: to take small steps towards understanding large topics like love, race, sports, economic justice, abortion, music, the environment, war. The essence of Prodigal’s Chair will involve looking past the topic in order to create discourse between the people in and around them. My hope is to let this discussion occur in abstract and concrete ways. There will be a variety of art, poetry, essays, fiction, music, statistics, and links all dictated by the topic. This site will essentially be an online magazine, with the goal of having a mix of voices and perspectives. ANYONE CAN CONTRIBUTE. You don't have to be a professional writer, musician, or artist. You just have to have something meaningful to contribute to the discussion.
Aside from that, there will be no judgment, no strings attached.
Returning to Christ’s parable, it’s essential to note that it emphasizes the importance of grace and inclusion over self-righteousness and judgment – as embodied by the bitterly responsible older brother – and Prodigal’s Chair will do the same thing. We will operate under the assumption that most people on either side of any particular issue are sincere and well intentioned. We will not attempt to position the left against the right, nor will we try to offer one view over the other. And we won’t try to save your soul.
What we will do, hopefully, is facilitate a dialogue along with the understanding that often the most dramatically meaningful changes are those that move along quietly, and often go unnoticed.
Aside from that, there will be no judgment, no strings attached.
Returning to Christ’s parable, it’s essential to note that it emphasizes the importance of grace and inclusion over self-righteousness and judgment – as embodied by the bitterly responsible older brother – and Prodigal’s Chair will do the same thing. We will operate under the assumption that most people on either side of any particular issue are sincere and well intentioned. We will not attempt to position the left against the right, nor will we try to offer one view over the other. And we won’t try to save your soul.
What we will do, hopefully, is facilitate a dialogue along with the understanding that often the most dramatically meaningful changes are those that move along quietly, and often go unnoticed.
- Tom Guzzio, Editor
Header art by T. Guzzio.