Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
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:
Then Jesus said, ‘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 travelled 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
We had no idea what this guy had gone through. Here we were all fat and happy. Every time he showed up in the fields with some corn, we were always glad to see him. Yet he was sad. He appeared so humble and in need. I don't know what got him to this point. You could tell that feeding all of us was the lowest point of his life. Here we were all fat and happy.
There was a turning point though. One day when he arrived to feed us as usual, I could tell that he was ready to move on to something else. He even practiced what we would say while he fed us. "Father, I have sinned. I'm sorry for what I have done. I took what you had and wasted it. I selfishly wasted all the good you have given me on silly desires. Desires that once fulfilled lasted only a moment in time. Forgive me, Father, I am dying full of myself." Then we didn't see him anymore. He didn't come back to feed us the next day, someone else did.
It seems to me and my family that all people need to be humble. We are created and given life for a purpose. We live our lives full of thanksgiving for all that God has given us. We are fed and cared for by the Creator. How much more these humans have, yet don't see it. I sincerely desire that this young man returned to his Father and was accepted through grace.
Prayer
Father; I'm overwhelmed and full of joy for your presence in my life. I humbly come to you and give you all the glory and honor and praise for the grace you have shown all people through your Son. I trust in you for my Daily Bread... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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