The Reading
Luke 15:11–32
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.’”
When I was much younger, the story of the lost son so resonated with and irritated me. I identified with the elder brother, watching my younger siblings get away with antics and misbehavior that I never could have. It was just so unfairly! I know I am not alone in having those feelings of inequity when someone else seems to get away with something I think breaks or bends the norms. As I have gotten older, hopefully matured a bit, and raised my own imperfect children I realize how often I have misinterpreted that parable. Of course, you welcome back the wayward child, the lost sheep. Rejoicing and celebrations for the return of a beloved is inevitable even when the transgression may seem insurmountable. We must remind ourselves that God is working in that person’s life even when we are unable to see it. If we imperfect humans are able to rejoice at the return of a loved one, imagine how God must rejoice when a sinner turns back and reclaims the salvation that Jesus gifts to us all!
Father, you love us so much that you sent your Son to atone for our sins and the sins of our sons and daughters. Thank you that they know you and pursue godliness. Help them to continue to seek your face and share your love. For the grown children yet to know you, we pray that you will shine your loving light through the tiniest crack in their hearts and give them a desire to know you. Amen.
Kathy serves on the Christ Church Vestry. She is the liaison to Children & Adult Formation Ministries.