Luke 15:1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3So he told them this parable: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 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. 13 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. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 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! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands." ' 20So 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. 21 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.' 22 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. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, "Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 31 Then the father said to him, "Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 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.' " (NRSV)
This is your story. This is my story. The word "prodigal" means "wasteful or extravagant living" but it means for a lot of people, the waywardness of that awful son from the story. It is a powerful story, perhaps one of the most well known of the parables that Jesus used to demonstrate the love of God for you and me. And speaking of you and me, that's why Jesus told the story. You and I have lived in wasteful or extravagant live, perhaps not rich in money or possessions but rich in the time we thought we had plenty of to spend as we like. It was a time when we thought we could live away from God on our own, not needing anything, but doing exactly what we wanted, when we wanted, thinking all the time we still had time... Then the harsh fingers of reality crept along our soul and made us realize we were far from where we needed to be, home. You may have thought you had nowhere else to go, but then the thought of home did enter your mind. I knew I could, but I needed to get myself ready. The difficult thing would not be the miles I had to cover to get home, but the final, painful knock on that door. If Dad/Mom saw me standing outside, would they answer? And if they did answer, what would I say? Confession, yes, confession is good for the soul, but would it be good enough for Dad/Mom? But imagine our shock when we were not allowed to talk! Instead of a slammed door in the face, we got a hug and not only a hug, a sobbing hug and a kiss! We had never seen Dad/Mom run so fast! And then instead of punishment, a party! A dress-up, fatted calf barbecue! And music! Not what we expected...
This is the story of our coming to God. It's the third of three powerful stories that Jesus told to show the awesomeness of God's love towards those who are lost. This passage does not include verse 7 where Jesus says, "I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance." Joy in heaven, and joy in our heart, to turn away from sin into the loving embrace of the One who created love. What we once thought was extravagant living pales to the true extravagance of agape love, God's unconditional eternal love.
The path may seem long and hard, but it's as close as your heart and your lips to say, "Loving God, I want to come home. I have sinned against You and others, I ask forgiveness and the strength to turn away from sin and temptation, and towards You. This is my prayer, in Jesus' name, amen."
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
Thought for the Day
I no longer want to be the Prodigal Child; I long for home and the peace it brings.
