Lent 6, March 20, 2024

“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.” (Luke 15:32)

Last week we thought about how the father in the prodigal son’s parable seemed to be very permissive and was waiting for his son’s return as well as how he allowed his older son to complain and vent his frustrations without a word against such a behaviour. Today as we get ready for Palm Sunday, Holy Week and Easter, we focus on the father’s joy. Towards the end of the parable, we hear the father saying in response to the older son’s complaint, “we had to celebrate and rejoice.”

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Lent 5

Lent Reflection based on Luke 15:11-32 So far, we discussed the parable of the prodigal son from the views of the two sons. We continue to look at the parable of the prodigal son from the perspective of the father. This will be done in two parts: wisdom of giving permission and unconditional grace. Today we begin looking at the wisdom of giving permission. This is the part we struggle more with. The first thing to look at is the father's willingness to let the second son do what he likes. When the second son comes and demands his portion of inheritance to live an independent life, the father gives him all that was asked. Without an advice, chastisement, correction, or admonishment, the father lets him go.

Lent 4

Devotion (Mark 15:11-32) Prodigal Son Parable When we read the Bible, often we try our best to put ourselves in the position of those people who are mentioned in the Bible. Last Wednesday, we read this parable from the perspective of the prodigal son. Today we read it from the perspective of the older son. The older brother is angry. As he returns, he hears from a servant that his father is giving a party for his brother. This brother disowned the family. He disrespected his own father by telling him to give him the inheritance as if the father was dead to him. It was obvious from what the older son spoke that the news of his younger brother’s wasteful life including the downfall reached the ears of the family. Yet, on the return of this vagabond brother, his father not only welcomed him, but also was giving him a feast. No wonder he is upset.

Lent 3 Devotion

Welcome (65:1, 9-13)

Praise is due to you,
  O God, in Zion;
You visit the earth and water it,
  you greatly enrich it;
the river of God is full of water;
  you provide the people with grain,

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