Parable of the Prodigal Son (1536) painting on oak wood by Jan Sanders van Hemessen (c.1500-c.1566). Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium, Brussels. (Click image to enlarge.)Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for March 27, 2022 (Lent 4C)

First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12

Repentance – literally, turning back from a wrong path and changing to a right one – forms a consistent theme through Sunday’s readings.

From the people’s arrival at the Promised Land to the prodigal son’s joyous return home, we hear that God is with us through transition and change. In our first reading, the Israelites have come to Canaan, the land of milk and honey, after 40 years wandering in the desert. They celebrate with bread made from the produce of the promised land. Later in Joshua we will discover that people already live on the land. It will have to be taken by bloody force, a darker side of Scripture’s ancestral legends. In this passage, though, we simply share in the joy of completing a long journey.

Psalm: Psalm 32

Hear the message of Psalm 32: We don’t always do the right thing. In our hearts we know this, even as we feel the pain of knowing that we have wronged another, or hurt a loved one. When we step away from God, who loves us and who always stands ready to forgive, our guilt piles up and we groan in sorrow. When we repent – when we stop being stubborn and turn back from our wrongful ways to trust in God – we feel the comfort and joy of knowing God’s forgiveness.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Paul was dealing with an angry, troubled congregation as he wrote his second known letter to the people of Corinth. They are mad at him, and he’s not happy with them, either. But he loves them still and seeks their forgiveness. God gave us Christ to reconcile the world to God, Paul writes. Our new direction as Christians, he tells them, comes when we recognize Jesus not only as human but as the Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. In Christ everything old has passed away, he says. Everything has become new!

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

It seems easy to grasp the meaning of the parable of the Prodigal Son: God forgives us when we stray and then return. Even if we have been prodigally sinful, God welcomes us home with a father’s joy and abundant celebration. But wait! There’s more: Look at the rest of the story. At the end of this passage, the older brother, hurt because his consistent good behavior won him no such praise, hears of his father’s loyal, long-standing love. And at the beginning of this parable, we hear why Jesus told this story: It was a response to a group of grumbling Pharisees and scribes, showing them that a sinner’s return deserves as much celebration as the recovery of a lost sheep or a silver coin.

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for March 31, 2019

First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12

Fresh starts and new beginnings: These themes carry Sunday’s readings as we reach the midpoint of Lent.

From the Israelites’ arrival at the Promised Land in the first reading to the Prodigal Son’s joyful return home in the Gospel, we hear that God stays with us through transition and change. In our first reading, the people share the joy of reaching Canaan, the land of milk and honey. With no more need for manna, they celebrate the end of 40 years in the desert with bread made from the produce of the promised land.

Psalm: Psalm 32

Who hasn’t known the anguish of doing something wrong that hurt a loved one? An angry word, a careless act, and then we see that look of pain, a sob and burst of tears, and we feel anguish and guilt. At that point, there is just one thing to say: “I’m sorry.” When this simple response brings a smile and forgiveness, everything feels better. This is the reward of repentance: When we sin and step away from God, it hurts. But then, as we chant in this Psalm, God’s forgiveness and steadfast love can make us shout for joy.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

There is tension in Paul’s second letter to the people of Corinth. The people of this Greek Christian community have been arguing with Paul and with each other. Paul, loving them in spite of it all, entreats them to be reconciled to God on behalf of Christ. Our new direction as Christians, Paul tells them, comes when we recognize Jesus not only as human but as Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. In Christ everything old has passed away. Everything has become new! Through Christ God forgives all our trespasses and reconciles the world to God.

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Everyone loves the parable of the Prodigal Son. But do we all hear it in the same way? If you are an older sibling, you may find it easier to relate to the older son’s reaction when his bratty brother came slinking home and got a feast. Like the loving father’s generous response to both sons, God’s nurturing grace is open to us all: Long-suffering good son and prodigal brother too. Page back and read the two short parables left out of the beginning of this Gospel: The shepherd who lost a sheep and the woman who lost a silver coin also rejoice when something that they lost was found. Should a father’s recovery of his lost son be any less joyful?

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for March 6, 2016

First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12

Themes of fresh starts and new beginnings unite all of today’s readings. From the Israelites’ arrival at the Promised Land to the Prodigal Son’s return home, we hear that God is with us through transition; God stands at our side in time of change. In our first reading, the people share the joy of reaching Canaan at last. After 40 years in the wilderness, their slavery in Egypt is now only a memory, and they will begin to enjoy the fruits of the land’s bountiful harvest.

Psalm 32

We don’t always do the right thing. In our hearts we know this, even as we feel the pain of knowing that we have wronged another, or hurt a loved one. When we step away from the God who loves us and who always stands ready to forgive, our guilt piles up, and we groan in sorrow. When we repent – literally, when we stop being stubborn and turn back from our wrongful ways to trust in God – then we feel the comfort and joy of knowing God’s forgiveness.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

Our new direction as Christians, Paul says, comes when we recognize Jesus not only as human but as Christ, the Son of God, the Messiah. In Christ everything old has passed away. Everything has become new! Through Christ God forgives all our trespasses and reconciles the world to God. In making this point to a community that has been quarreling with him and with each other, Paul reminds them to forgive and be reconciled, just as God has done with us through Jesus.

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32

Just about everyone remembers the parable of the Prodigal Son, and it’s easy to grasp its meaning: God forgives us when we stray and then return. Even if we have been prodigally sinful, God welcomes us home with a father’s joy and abundant celebration. But wait! There’s more: Look at both ends of the story. At the close, the older brother, hurt because his good behavior won him no praise, is reminded of his father’s loyal, long-standing love. And at the beginning, we hear that Jesus told this story to remind the scribes and Pharisees that a sinner’s return deserves as much celebration as the recovery of a lost sheep.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, March 10, 2013.

First Reading: Joshua 5:9-12
After 40 years wandering in the desert, the Israelites have come to Canaan, the land of milk and honey, and they celebrate with bread made from the produce of the promised land. The book of Joshua will go on to tell us that people already live on the land. It will have to be taken by bloody force, a darker side of Israel’s ancestral story. For now, though, as we move toward the promise of Easter – and Passover – we simply share in the joy of completing a long journey.

Psalm 32
Who hasn’t known the anguish of doing something wrong that hurt a loved one? An angry word, a careless act, and then we see that look of pain, the sudden tear, and we feel so bad. When these things happen, there’s only one thing to say: “I’m sorry.” When this simple response brings a smile and forgiveness, everything feels better. And so it is when we sin and step away from God. It hurts. And as the Psalmist sings, God’s forgiveness and steadfast love can make us shout for joy.

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Paul was dealing with an angry, troubled congregation in this second letter to the people of Corinth. They’re mad at him, and he’s not so happy with them, either. But he loves them and wants their forgiveness, and in these verses he points out that God gave us Christ to reconcile the world to God. Paul asks the Corinthians to do the same. Can we do any less?

Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Everyone loves the parable of the Prodigal Son. But do we all hear it in the same way? If you are an older sibling, you may find it easier to relate to the older son’s reaction when his bratty brother came slinking home and got a feast. As his father’s loving reassurance made it all better, so the parable reassures us that God’s nurturing grace is open to us all: Long-suffering good kid and prodigal brother too. Where do you find yourself when you hear this story? Can you feel the love?