Are you ready to return and reconnect? Many of us have deeply missed gathering in person with loved ones and worshipping together in the same room. The isolation we experienced has been challenging in so many ways. We rejoice for the ways that we have remained in relationship with one another at Saint Luke, but are so thankful to be together each Wednesday evening, sharing a bowl of soup and hearing from lay preachers. Journey with us this lent as we discover how connected we are in Christ.
Lay preacher, Emily Fowler leads us through a though provoking parable and gives us the courage to take a look at how we respond to frustration, anger, and pain. Together, we discover that we are connected by reconciliation and welcomed into the forgiving arms of God.
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.”’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’”
-Luke 15:11-32
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
Emily sympathizes with us as she explains that many people wrestle with short tempers and turn their pain and anger into retaliation.
How do you respond? When someone you love hurts you deeply; when they cause you pain? How do you respond to this frustration?
In the parable of the prodigal son, despite all that had occurred the father did not respond to his son with retaliation. In the same way God offers forgiveness to us, even when we feel we do not need it.
When was the last time you forgave others? Or even forgave yourself? What gets in the way of you offering forgiveness?
Consider grabbing a pen and piece of paper. Then follow along with Emily in the video above and embrace forgiveness. Embrace love. God is working through you. God forgives you, so that you can show that same forgiveness to others. That’s the power of the love of God. That’s the power of grace. That, my friends, is good news.