There is always a way back

Albert Bogle February 22, 2019 0 1

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Luke 15: 11-32

11 Then Jesus said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. 12 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. 13 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. 14 When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 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. 16 He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17 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! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.’” 20 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. 21 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.” 22 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. 23 And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.

25 ‘Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied, “Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.” 28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” 31 Then the father said to him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 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.”’

Following on from yesterday’s reflection, how do we change when we feel we are stuck in a moment and we can’t find a way out. The phone rang and a voice from the distant past said, “I’m in a far country can you help me find my way back home?” The person was referring to today’s story we have just read. The story that Jesus told about the lost son and the loving Father. They were remembering the good times, all that they once had and had now lost and were wondering: is it possible to be welcomed into the family of God  again? Is it possible to start playing in the game even if the 90 minutes is nearly up? The answer I gave was yes. Many a valuable player comes on and scores the winning goal in the last moments of the game. It’s never too late to say yes to the call of God. 

Kindness conquers crass 

Something 

Moved me

I felt a tinge of regret

I think it was kindness

It got under my skin

It stayed with me 

I remembered

Who I used to be

My family name

My father 

My mother 

My home

Then without warning

I was struggling to hold back

I’m good at holding back

But not this time

The dam burst

The tears were flowing

And I was desperate

To play again

To pray again

To say sorry

To be sorry

To live out soul full sorrow

And now

Well I’m home

I can’t believe it

I’ve been accepted

I still have bridges to mend

But I’m working on that 

I know one day

I’ll be my brother’s friend

We’ll make it happen 

For our Father’s sake