SUNDAY SERVICE

We are about half way through Lent.  The Gospel story to be read in our church today will be the story of the Prodigal Son.

The story is timeless.  One of two sons asks his rich father for the money he would normally receive at the father's death.  Dad gives it to him.  The son leaves home, goes out on his own, leads a wild life, never calls or writes, and blows all the money.  When he hits rock bottom, he decides to go back to his father's house and ask for help, forgiveness and mercy.  The father is so excited about the son coming home that he throws him a big party and treats him like a prince.  This totally pisses off the other son who has worked with and for his father all his life.  Dad says, "Don't feel that way. You have lived your whole life in luxury.  I love you but I still love your brother."

First, its good to remind ourselves that the Bible was written in times when we had a male dominated society. Today, the son could be a daughter and the father could be a mother or, more likely, parents.

The father in the story should be thought of as God and the sons are you and me. It's as plain as the nose on your face.  It doesn't matter how bad you've been, God will take you back and in fact welcome you.   Never, never think that you are too bad; have been away too long; have burned your bridges; have charted a course that can't be changed.  You're not, you haven't, and it can.  Go back to God.  The Father will always take you back with open arms.

That's the way I see it.
*o*