Eucharistic Readings or the Second Saturday in Lent: Year B
Micah 7:14–15,18–20: Psalm 103:1–4(5–8)9–12: :Luke 15:11–32
“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! (Luke 15:17)
In the beginning of this parable all was good and glorious for both sons. Both sons had all that was needed, and then some. As we explore this parable let us see if we can connect it with our lives today and then apply its lessons to our walk in our Christian ministry.
The younger son foresees that he will never be the one in charge and so he figures he can do better on his own. Therefore he requests of his father to give him what is his and he will be off to do his own thing. So there is separation and brokenness.
As he encounters the world with its various lures and temptations he loses everything. He is forced to take work that is incompatible with the way in which he was raised and taught in his tradition. “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!
In recognizing the gap between where he should be and where he is, his judgment is certain, and he crafts his words of repentance. He says to himself, 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.” (Luke 15: 18)
And even as he is walking back to deliver his well-prepared words of repentance, his father rushes out to greet him, not even paying attention to the words the son is saying but ordering the household servants to restore him back to his original self. This happens even as the elder brother begins his own broken separation with the desire to make things “better” for himself.
This cycle of wholeness and brokenness, the recognition of it, and the reorientation and restoration, connects with us today as we too, too often, try to leave the God of love.
Please keep up your thoughts and prayers and hopes for Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, and our schools, including St Augustine in Raleigh, North Carolina.
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and serve, and to teach others to love and serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do.
Let us pray:
All mighty and ever-loving God, who is ever vigilant in waiting for our return, come to us as we come to ourselves, that in our path to you, we may be restored into your heavenly kingdom where with our Savior Jesus Christ, you live and reign in love everlasting. Amen
onewhoponders 