Luke 15: 11-32
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to the fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is now alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
“Meanwhile, the other son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come home,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
” ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ “
A Thought
The Pharisees and teachers of the law are trying to find fault with Jesus who is teaching and eating with the tax collectors and “sinners”. The younger son reminds me of the “sinners”, the older son reminds me of the Pharisees and the father responds like Christ responds to us. The younger son who had sinned by wild living, came home to his father in repentance and was greeted with the best robe, a ring for his finger, sandals for his feet and a great celebration. We need to celebrate, rejoice and encourage the repentant one who comes to Christ for forgiveness.
Our Prayer
Father we know that we too have squandered and wasted part of our lives. Thank you that through repentance we receive forgiveness with joy. We know that you have made us heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ with a great celebration planned when we reach our heavenly home with you. Praise your Holy name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
