Luke 15:11-32
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.
‘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.”’
How are we responding to God's grace shown to us and to others?
Today's passage is arguably the most famous parable there is: the story of the prodigal son. It is perhaps a misnomer, with a better name for it being the parable of the gracious father. It is such a well known story, and it is that has received all kinds of interpretations throughout Christian history as well. But what is essential is the character of the father, who gives his fortune away to an ungrateful son, who longs to see his child again and is on the lookout for his child. And when he finally does spy him in the distance, recognising him through all the filth and consequences, he does the undignified thing and runs to meet him, wrapping him up in arms of love and welcoming him home. it is a story of deep, deep grace. Grace that is almost rejected by the prodigal and grace that embitters the older child who had stayed. Grace can be hard to accept for ourselves, and it can be very hard to see others through the light of grace God gives them.
May we today find ourselves wrapped up in God's loving arms. May we find ourselves welcomed and at home. And may we celebrate with others who find that grace surrounding them and welcoming them. May we join God's feast of unending grace.