Reading
Fourth Sunday in Lent
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (NRSV)
The parable of the forgiving father
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So he told them this parable: .
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 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! 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."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe -- the best one -- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.
"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"
Reflection
Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 (NRSV)
The parable of the forgiving father
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."
So he told them this parable: .
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 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! 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."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe -- the best one -- and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.
"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"
Reflection
Today, my grandson, Daemien Thomas Emmanuel Fuller was baptised. "Bubby" was given the gift by his heavenly Father. Claimed as a Child of God and called to be a saint in the Kingdom of God. Water was poured on his head and the wonderful Word was proclaimed by Pastor Sara...I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Family stood by and witnessed this grace-filled moment. Family and God Parents declared that Daemien would receive the Holy Scriptures, be taught the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer and the Apostle's Creed.
Even though a child, Bubby was welcomed by the Father with open arms and a party was to follow. Even though a child all present declared welcome to a new brother in Christ. Even though a child...
It seems as if that a gift from God like this would not only fill the room where this baptism took place but a great cloud would fill beyond the room and into the church and beyond the church into the entire world. A movement of the Spirit took place this day. The Love of God was displayed this day. And a Father welcomed another child into the Kingdom.
Sure, there will be many days ahead for Bubby that will be filled with temptation, with sin and with doubt. But also, in those days ahead, Bubby will be filled with the Word of God and taught what a Christian is all about. Bubby will be taught the focus on Christ, the cross, and the resurrection. Bubby will learn of the movement of the Holy Spirit in his own life and the life he has in the Church of God. Bubby will be given the faith from God to one day make that wonderful decision for himself that Christ has a place in his heart. Bubby will see Jesus at his door each day and be given the gift of reliving this baptism each and every day.
Yes, there was a party for the sinners this day, along with a party for the saints. The fatted calf was presented and the Love of God shone forth in the face of an infant. I saw Bubby smile this day. I saw Christ smile. I saw the Father with open arms. Thanks be to God!
Prayer
Grow in faith and love, Bubby, grow this day in Christ. --- Amen
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