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.”

Read more

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 2 Devotion

Welcome (Psalm 77:1-12)

I cried out to God for help;
   I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
   at night I stretched out untiring hands,
   and I would not be comforted.

DH Weekly 11

Midweek Scripture (2 Corinthians 4:3)

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.

Can we help people believe what we believe about Jesus? Can we convince others so that they can know Christ like we do? When we see things from believers’ perspective, it makes us wonder how come others are having so much difficulty in seeing God’s love and presence everywhere.

DH Weekly 10

Midweek Scripture (Malachi 3:1 )

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight--indeed, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.

I have been wondering how God leads us today. With wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Yemen, and elsewhere internationally and increasing poverty as well as unaffordable housing and living costs nationally, we hardly have time to think about how God leads us. Of course, we do our best to be the followers of Christ. In our prayer we do our best to help and love our neighbours while we patiently wait for our Lord’s return.

DH Weekly 9

Midweek Scripture (1 Corinthians 8:1)

Now concerning food sacrificed to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

One thing we do not like to see is people who are totally puffed up with knowledge telling, instructing and showing off to everyone how superior they are. Paul is talking about the very people with knowledge who help no one but themselves with what they know. In a way Paul is popping their balloons. Knowledge like all other things is misused more than we think by those who have them. Of course, many people try to make a distinction between wisdom and knowledge, but if the end result is all about one’s self interest over others who have less knowledge, then, it is all the same.

DH Weekly 8

Midweek Scripture: Jonah 3:1,2

The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time, saying, "Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you."

This week we continue to ponder about God’s call and our response. On Sunday we meditated on calls to young Samuel by God and Nathanael by Jesus through Philip.

As we know, not everyone who gets the call is excited and responds the way that brings God glory. Today we are reading Jonah 3:1,2 where God had to send him again to Nineveh because when God tried the first time Jonah chose to get away as far as they could from the City of Nineveh. His attempt to go elsewhere was a failure because of the storm and him being thrown overboard only to spend three days in the belly of a sea creature.

DH Weekly 7

Midweek Scripture Passage (Genesis 11:30)

Now Sarai was barren; she had no child.

With Sarai, a long history of women who could not bear children was recorded in the Bible. Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah and Elizabeth followed Sarai. From our meditation on Elizabeth we pondered about what it meant for women without children in a society where a woman's worth was judged based on her ability to give birth to a son or sons. God’s grace for them was to make the impossible happen so that though they might be beyond ages to be mothers, yet they were blessed in ways they never imagined. Sufferings they endured as barren women ended in rejoicing as God chose to bring about God’s salvation history through them. ... to read more click here