Lectionary for Lent 4

Lectionary for fourth Sunday in Lent

While the prodigal was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Collect. Gracious Father, you are truly compassionate to all your children, for you remember that we are but dust. So fill us with your love, that, rising above our weaknesses, we may always remain true to Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Reading. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21  Paul is recognising that Jesus fully human and also fully divine is a hard thing to understand. They had known him as a man now they have to see his powerful divinity. We come from the other direction; for we see him as God and need to understand his continuing humanity. He is the Saviour yet as a human through his salvation he has changed the status of every believer. With that in mind Paul is urging us to see each other in a different light. It has become common to emphasise my relationship with Jesus and let’s not down play that relationship but here in this passage Paul is emphasising that through reconciliation Jesus has gathered each believer onto himself. We now live as it were, under the mantle of God and through God’s power we have been changed. As Ephesians says everything about us has been changed even down to the faith to believe in what God has done for us through Jesus. In one great transaction we have been reconciled with God for our old life has gone a new life has been put into place. We are now viewed by God as being linked in love with Jesus. When God sees us he also sees Jesus! Amazing! However that change is more than personal it is universal, that is to say each believer has been fully changed. This reconciling with Jesus brings also a ministry of reconciliation. Indeed as we read the text, if we are not prepared to be reconciled with those around us how can we claim to be reconciled to God? As someone once said, “The only exercise some folks get is jumping to conclusions and running people down.” I am sure that would not apply to you, however anyone who has been forgiven and reconciled to God will in turn be forgiving and reconciling towards others for whom Jesus Christ died. Why? Because anyone who is in Christ is a New Creation, the old has gone and the new has come. With the new you comes a new way of living out your godly way!

Prayer. Gracious Father; In humble recognition of all that Jesus Christ has won for us, we bow before you and give you all thanks and praise. Through him alone you have won for yourself a people who will be called by your name and we are privileged beyond measure, to be counted among those who the love of Jesus Christ has redeemed. In all times and seasons, you give us life and health and daily strength; we draw our life from you, it is your gift to us. Grant that we, being aware of your great love, may also live our lives loving and caring for others. Empower us by your Spirit to serve you with all faithfulness until that day when we see you face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Reading. Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32. The man who welcomed sinners and ate with them. Parables are often used as moral examples but that is to sell the parables of Jesus far too short. Jesus used parables as teaching tools, tools which revealed deep theological and biblical insights. Our passage for today is prefaced by the criticism of the “righteous’ Pharisees. The Pharisees were filled with religious fervour and even their name suggests that they were separatists who kept apart not only from Gentiles but also fellow Jews who they thought were unclean. Luke recalls that Jesus used three parables to refute their criticism namely the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost sons. It is this final parable that we read today and it is probably one of the best known of Jesus’ parables. The younger son acted selfishly by demanding his inheritance long before the death of his father. As such he disrespected his father and abused his love and generosity. He moved away and so was far from his father’s oversight. He squandered his inheritance with selfish living until he found that he was feeding pigs in order to survive. From a Jewish perspective handling such an unclean animal would have been a horror beyond our imagining. In dire straits the reality of his positions shocks him and he craves the comfort and security of home. In an extreme example of understatement Luke writes “He came to himself”, and it is then that the younger son longs for the forgiveness that will allow him to be once more under his father’s roof even as a lowly servant. In contrast the father longs for his son to return and out of love welcomes him, and in a break with tradition runs to greet and embrace his lost son. Here is the indication that the father is prepared o accept the shame of a disobedient son and reintroduce him to sonship. Together, the father with the whole household, celebrate the younger sons return. Though the son is not worthy, all is forgiven.

It is then that the elder son, the “righteous one,” returns and shows not only his deep resentment to his brother but also his anger and disobedience towards his father. He vehemently refuses to accept the decision his father had made to unify the family. By rejecting the deep love his father had towards the younger son he displayed his deep resentment towards his father. Though we may feel some sympathy for the elder brother this sympathy is misplaced for both have the same selfish disregard for their father. With the same deep love the father goes out to his elder son and almost begs him to reconsider. Here again is a break with tradition and protocol.  The father’s insistence is that by accepting back the younger brother the position of the elder brother is in no way compromised. All is forgiveness, acceptance and love.

If the younger brother represents the sinners and tax collectors then the elder brother represents the Pharisees. Maybe even yet they may come in a share in the feast. Above all the parable describes the great love and forgiveness of God, reaching out to both the younger and the older son. His love continues despite the waywardness of his children; as the psalmist says. “His love endures forever”(Psalm. 136.)

Prayer. (This is a portion of a prayer written by William Wilberforce)

Surely the experience of all good men confirms the proposition that without a due measure of private devotions the soul will grow lean. But all may be done through prayer — almighty prayer, I am ready to say — and why not? For that it is almighty is only through the gracious ordination of the God of love and truth. O then, pray, pray, pray!

Father we are so thankful that your great love surrounds us at all times. May the love you have for us touch our hearts and change our lives that we may always show love and care towards all those we meet. May our love reflect your love and at all times give you the honour and glory that are yours. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ our lord. Amen

Collect. Father of all mercy, careless of your dignity you look for us, and welcome us home. Give us the grace to love as we have been loved; in Jesus’ name. Amen.