Both were far from loving their Father; they simply loved their inheritance. The younger son gets bad press because he was actually honest with his selfishness, and this brings him visibly into the gutter. The older brother makes an art out of hiding and managing his selfishness; most of us do not even see that the older brother does not love his Father, he seems to be so loyal. But there is a fatal difference between "loyalty" and trust; service and love; morality and worship. The former places God in our debt-we stand near God with our arms folded, our parochial hearts proud. The latter kneels, knowing nothing good in himself, only the undeserved kiss from his Father.

Both sons were lost. Only one is found (and he is not the loyal one).