The Lavish Love of God - May 26
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 38; PM Psalm 119:25-48; Deut. 4:25-31; 2 Cor. 1:23-2:17; Luke 15:1-2,11-32
There are many lenses through which one can read Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32): reconciliation, the search for Sabbath, family dynamics, idols we follow, grace, forgiveness…perhaps you can offer more. This well-known story from Jesus’ ministry has deep resonance, line by line. I wrestle each time I sit with this scripture, and new avenues of understanding and wonder open.
Today, I wonder about intimacy in this story, understood in the sense of fully knowing one another. If the younger child had felt known and valued, would he have demanded his inheritance and left? Did he strive to build connections with those in his household? Were they receptive and understanding of him? Could he see that the emptiness of “dissolute living” further from himself and from those who loved him?
If the older child had felt known and valued, would he have refused to welcome his brother back home? Would he have gotten to the point of feeling merely tethered to his role, working like a slave, with no freedom or rest? Could he see that by focusing on merit and duty, he was removing himself from relationship and grace, much like his younger brother?
The Old Testament reading from Deuteronomy today speaks to how God will scatter the faithful; the people will follow other idols and then will search for God. They will only find God if they seek with all of their hearts and souls. And then, returning to the Lord, they will listen and follow, “Because the Lord your God is a merciful God, he will neither abandon you nor destroy you” (v. 31a). What a perfect pairing with the parable of the wayward child returning home.
That being said, reading other parts of Deuteronomy (and other parts of sacred scripture), the parental reactions are very different for disobedient and disrespectful offspring. In Deuteronomy 21, sons who do not heed their parents are taken out in public, named for the ills they will not abandon – like gluttonous and drunken – and the men of the town can stone him to death. In Deuteronomy 22, daughters who are not found to be chaste are also seen as disobedient. While we don’t read of young women who are gluttonous and drunken, they are considered disgraceful as they have prostituted themselves to others while living in their parents’ houses. The consequence: stone her to death outside the entrance of her father’s house. Obedience of parents was a big deal, and perhaps a big problem.
Jesus knows these paradigms of the Deuteronomic law. He knows the shame children can bring upon their parents’ homes, and yet Jesus also knows the pervasive and powerful love of God. The Son knows the compassion that the Lord has for all. And so, the story in Luke concludes as we hope, with more grace than we can imagine, more redemption than we think is possible. The patient parent waits for us to draw near, yearning for rest and trust and welcome, just as we are. That is the intimacy God calls us to…not flash-in-the-pan passion, but sustaining and unshakable love. Prodigal love.
-- Katherine+
Questions for Reflection
Think of a time when someone showed you compassion when you offended them. What was that like?
What inspires you today about the father’s welcome of both his children?
Daily Challenge
Write a letter to someone you have offended, holding in mind the younger son’s return to his father. Pray for that person, and ask God to build a bridge of reconciling love between you. Say the Confession of Sin, holding in mind that as you confess a wrong, God is welcoming you and bringing wholeness and healing and forgiveness to you.