Tuesday 17 April 2007

Yes, we continue with the two sons and the father - a parable from Luke's gospel.
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." (Luke 15:1-2)

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 traveled to a distant country and there squandered his property in dissolute living. (Luke 15:11-13). 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 to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! (Luke 15:14-17) 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. (Luke 18-20a) 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. (Luke 15:20b-24)

Please note that in the telling of this story the father knows nothing of the son's adventure in the far off land. The father simply sees - his son. Nothing else matters. The villager neighbors who know what this boy has done...are not given a second thought. The father goes out there to protect his son. He runs - that is he picks up his outer wear, exposes his legs and undergarments and runs to the boy...he makes a scene of himself for the likes of that boy. Ahhhhh!....but that boy is his son. This is no stranger. This is no bad boy. This is no disrespectful snob who will have to pay his way back into the fold. This is his son. All the "to do" is to show everyone that this "son of mine" remains as I see him - "my beloved." No other opinion matters and no other status will be given to him. This is such a powerful image that the confession of the son - the one he had planned to use to save himself - was not allowed to come to completion. This is my beloved - my son who has been away from me - my lost boy - the one I thought was dead is alive. Nothing is on the father's mind but party and celebration. Who cares what the motives of the son were. All the father considers is the simple fact that this is my son. Nothing trumps this love...nothing. In fact, this love only knows how to be shown by way of celebration - sheer joy - utter foolishness - that includes including the whole village (that is, everyone) in on the celebration. What message does this send to those looking on? Either this father has no memory or the power of memory to create separation has no power over the joy of reunion. Either this father has lost his values and status and image or he holds none of that as a treasure above the love he has for his son. Wow.

Connection: That boy/girl off in the distance full of excuses is...all of us...everyday. No chance to become something other than what we are. And yet, we are the beloved of God and in that reality we stand within this day as ones who begin from there...again. No other agenda make us. No other opinion shapes us. No other story needs to be heard. We begin with that loving God who, as some might think, foolishly rushes after us...again.

Come, O Lord of Love, and yet we already trust that you will and you do come to take us into your life and your future that is already touching us and guiding us. We give you thanks for making your love the home to which we are always welcome....again. Amen.