Texts for March 27, 2022
The 4th Sunday of Lent
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
This Sunday’s Gospel from Luke is Jesus’ parable of the “Prodigal Son” featuring two sons and their father. There are many paintings, sculptures, dramas - even novels - based on this story that have been created through the centuries since Jesus’ day.
With parables, the meanings shift as you repeatedly read them. They are not fables from which one gets a clear “moral-of-the-story” every time. You don’t explain parables (this=that therefore thus is so). You live or experience parables.
If I ask you “with which character, do you identify?”, after you think about it, you probably recognize that all three characters have been at work in you at one time or another. And you’ve probably met all three characters. This is a story about relationships with the twists and turns that go into relationships.
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 32
2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
This Sunday’s Gospel from Luke is Jesus’ parable of the “Prodigal Son” featuring two sons and their father. There are many paintings, sculptures, dramas - even novels - based on this story that have been created through the centuries since Jesus’ day.
With parables, the meanings shift as you repeatedly read them. They are not fables from which one gets a clear “moral-of-the-story” every time. You don’t explain parables (this=that therefore thus is so). You live or experience parables.
If I ask you “with which character, do you identify?”, after you think about it, you probably recognize that all three characters have been at work in you at one time or another. And you’ve probably met all three characters. This is a story about relationships with the twists and turns that go into relationships.
Maybe God is in the relationships?
It's your turn. Read the story again and reflect on it.
What catches your ear or eye this time as you read this story? With which character do you identify?
What does the story say to you right now to your right-now life?
My examples:
What catches your ear or eye this time as you read this story? With which character do you identify?
What does the story say to you right now to your right-now life?
My examples:
I heard and saw: greed; carelessness; cruelty; unflappability; regret; scheming; self-interest; longing; welcome; patience; fortitude; pure joy; forgiveness; jealousy; petulance; and above all love.
It says:
Get over yourself already! Ever heard of gratitude? How about humility?
You are missing a great party because…you are trying to make a point?
You will sacrifice your own wholeness on an altar of self-righteousness? Again: gratitude? Humility?
Really? You can love these hurtful and selfish guys?
It says:
Get over yourself already! Ever heard of gratitude? How about humility?
You are missing a great party because…you are trying to make a point?
You will sacrifice your own wholeness on an altar of self-righteousness? Again: gratitude? Humility?
Really? You can love these hurtful and selfish guys?
In those moments, you meet God. God stands with open heart and smiles.