🧵 pearl is cosplaying as a theologian, but this is actually my area of expertise!

the prodigal son is not about the prodigal son at all. this story is not written for wayward children to read and say, 'i can always come back home.'

that's not the point.

the main character of the story is the elder brother, whose frustration is palpable when his younger brother, who has squandered everything, returns home and is accepted without condition.

and not just accepted, celebrated.

because the father wanted to be in relationship with his son. he just wanted him home.

the older brother says to his father, 'i've been slaving away for you all these years!'

'i've been doing everything right. i have followed all the rules. where is my reward?'

'i waited for marriage and kept my end of the deal but she got to be an OF model and make millions of dollars and then just say she changed!'

if y'all are jealous of that, just say so.

nothing was ever stopping you. you can do that and be freely loved.

this story is for the pious and the moralistic and the people who think that they deserve more from God because they did everything right and it shows that you did not actually enjoy 'doing everything right.'

you were following a formula for a happy life. which doesn't exist!