The Prodigal Son

Jane Denniston March 31, 2022 0 1

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Luke 15: 11-19 (NRSVA)

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.’”

I am prodigal

Restless, I give in to my dreams.

I have expansive, expensive desires.

Visions of a life beyond the horizons

of this petty and trammeled existence.

I crave experience, excitement, extravagance.

Restless, I am heedless

of the effects of my desires,

of the feelings of my father and brother.

I see only possibilities:

freedom

fulfilment

And, if I am honest, fun!

This life is monotonous beyond bearing

and there is a world of promise beyond the walls

of my home…

my family…

my life.

I am prodigal

Recklessly I have spent my wealth.

Vainly I have showered my riches

on those who called themselves friends.

Those who were

welcoming…

fun…

grasping…

gone…

I lie in poverty and look for wisdom,

the one thing in all my riches that I lacked.

How can I be redeemed from this?

Will pride prevent me?

Or fear?

Or shame?

I return to be met by love that is

prodigal

restless

munificent

undeserved.

Offered without stint or reserve.

Welcomed, with no word of condemnation.

My faults have been their own punishment.

I am forgiven

and I know that I am home.

PRAYER:

Loving heavenly Father,

in our restlessness

may we seek you in right places.

When life seems tedious

or difficult

or challenging

may we know that your arms

are always ready to welcome us,

with a love that is stronger than a father’s

warmer than a mother’s, Amen