Br. Will, CMJ
Repentance, forgiveness, mercy, love, and even celebration are all themes found in the lectionary readings this past Sunday, which included the 'Parable of the Prodigal Son' (as it has come to be known). These are, of course, most apt themes as we continue on our Lenten journey towards the promises of resurrection. Yet in this story of familiar family dynamics, we may lose sight of why Jesus shared the parable in the first place. He broke bread with sinners. We may not recognize the significance of this action with our modern eyes, but in the first century, to break bread with someone, especially in their home, was to honor them. Jesus honored sinners and those whom the society of the day labeled outcast or those to be shunned. With this in mind, his parable reflects not only extravagant grace and forgiveness, but a divine nature that embraces those who we might otherwise 'write off' as unworthy.
The fact of the matter is that we are all in need of great mercy and forgiveness. This is part of the Lenten journey: to bring us face to face with the humble reality that we need God's grace and mercy. But we do not walk this spiritual path simply to reflect on our own need for grace, but to become (as Paul calls it) "Ambassadors of Christ" by being transformed by that same grace. We, by receiving the grace and forgiveness of God, can now offer grace and forgiveness to others-- "as if God were making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20)
As we take a breath following this Laetare (Rose) Sunday, remember that God loves you and by receiving that love, you are now commissioned to share that love-- to be that love in the world. That is something worth celebrating!
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