Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Intention: For a spirit of compassion and generosity among all who are able to share what they have with others, especially with those who are most in need.
Today’s Gospel | Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable. “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
A Lenten Reflection
Of all of Jesus’ parables, perhaps none is better known than the parable of the prodigal son. A powerful allegory for compassion and forgiveness, the narrative presents three different characters who each invite our reflection on the best and the worst possibilities of the human struggle to understand one another. By identifying alternately with each one, we can explore what it really means to be in relationships. We can look at the times when we have been the younger son as well as the older son, and hopefully when we have at least tried to be the father. We also can ponder which of the two sons could make the stronger case for true obedience and fidelity. Finally, we can consider how the characters all represent the dilemma of what to do when people’s needs conflict. The parable is about all of these issues. However, it also is about something more.
Ultimately, the main point of the parable is to challenge our understanding of justice. What does it look like to treat one another justly and on what is this based? The answer that many of us would expect or hope to hear and the answer that is given are very different. The difference can be heard in these words, “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.” Who waits for a betrayer, and then chooses not to excoriate or banish, but to offer acceptance? Not one whose notion of justice is rooted in grievance, but one whose notion of justice is rooted in grace. The father lived in his hopes for his children. For him, what was right was that they were whole, regardless of their imperfections or those of their efforts. In God, justice is not about what we expect from people, but about what we want for them.
Author Cherie Carter-Scott writes, “Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.” Our redemption lies in our receiving and giving second chances. To be welcomed to keep trying to put ourselves in right relationship with life is what allows us to keep moving toward being fully human. During Lent, we are called to realize that life is a flawed journey through a flawed world, that there will be times when we will become lost, and that it is only through the justice of God’s saving love, shared with one another, that we will be able to find our way home.
Prayer
Eternal Father, every day you call us to holiness. At times, we fall prey to our own pride and begin to judge others. Teach us to look upon one another with humble and unassuming eyes, to always acknowledge our own brokenness and our constant need for your mercy and forgiveness. Fill us with compassion and love for all, that we might be your touch of mercy and welcome to all. We ask this of you who lives and reigns with your Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.