“A man had two sons. So begins one of the most moving and beautiful stories that Jesus told – Luke 15. We have often called this parable “The Prodigal Son” but that removes some of the richness – because all three characters are essential to this story – the prodigal son, the waiting father and the elder brother all add so much to the richness and beauty of this encounter with brokenness, mercy and grace. Reflecting on this story provides us with a beautiful illustration of the rich Jewish understanding of “T’Shuvah!” – the God who created us good, to share in his life through walking along the ways of the Lord – but acknowledges that we often wander away from the path. Always and forever, the Lord invites us to come on home and join in the feast. Unfortunately we are too often the older brother in this story and continue to slave away in service of a mean and stingy God. This is brought out in another story that Jesus tells in Matthew 18 – this time its the story of a king and two servants, one who owes a massive sum to the king and the other who owes the first slave a smaller sum. The king forgives the first, but the first is not able to learn from this grace and mercy and extend it to the one who owes him.
The God of the Broken continues to invite us to come on home and join in the feast with the fatted calf.
Recorded at St Paul’s, Vigil Mass.
Sunday 4, Season of Lent, Year C.
- The homework sheets are available here; the slides of the presentation are available here.
- Video Reflection: Dan Stevers: God of the Broken
- Song (Vigil) – Prodigal by Michael Gungor, from the album Ancient Skies; 7.30am Prodigal by Casting Crowns, from the album Lifesong.