Thoughts for the Day

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable:..... 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 travelled 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.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Day 16 of Lent picks up other Lenten themes - of mercy, repentance and forgiveness. Only found in Luke's Gospel the Parable of the Prodigal Son is well known to all of us, but it's worth looking at again for it offers us such hope that it should lift our spirits. Jesus’ desire to save all men and women also included those known as “tax collectors and sinners.” His attitude towards them gave rise to jealousy and murmuring among the Pharisees. This leads to the most beautiful parable of mercy that shows God’s immense joy when we return to him with a contrite heart.

The story is simple, and presents a challenge to us all. It looks at the way we confuse happiness with getting what we desire - the younger son (called "prodigal" because he wasted his father’s prosperity) has felt trapped at home, but after wasting his inheritance in a distant land, he soon realizes that he is much less free outside his home. Reduced to caring for pigs with all their association of being 'unclean' he comes to his senses and returns home to his father, asking for forgiveness.

The story reflects our life and that of our Heavenly Father. God respects our freedom and doesn't try to control us. Indeed He trusts us with immense patience, though he watches out for our return each day, and when we come to our senses to beg His forgiveness, He welcomes us with joy, restoring us to our lost status.

Heavenly Father,
we admit our wayward behaviour,
the chasing of fleeting desires,
and the misuse of the gifts You give to us.
We beg Your forgiveness this day
asking that we may be restored to Your favour.
We crave Your help in making changes to our life
that will be shown through sacrifice
and by helping others.
Amen.