December 12th, 2012
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

The Waiting Father

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Opening Prayer

Father, I come to You today, not because I’m strong but because I’m weak. Impart Your strength to me.

Read Luke 15:11-32

[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. [13] “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. [14] After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. [15] So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. [16] He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. [17] “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! [18] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. [19] I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ [20] So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. [21] “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ [22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. [23] Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. [24] For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. [25] “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. [26] So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. [27] ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ [28] “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. [29] But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. [30] But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ [31] “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. [32] But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'”

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

Meditate

“Father of heaven, whose love profound / a ransom for our souls hath found. / Before Thy throne we sinners bend; / To us thy pardoning love extend” (Edward Cooper, 1770-1833).

Think Further

This timeless message of the waiting father and returning son is known worldwide. In St. Petersburg, Russia, Rembrandt’s famous painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, hangs prominently in the Hermitage. During the communist years it was hidden away, but now guides daily retell its story to thousands of tourists and school children who need to know of the Father’s welcome. Often the point of the story is only half told–the startling interplay of relationships between the father and his two sons. Some have suggested renaming it The Parable of the Waiting Father.

The younger son begins by saying “Father,” and in repentance acknowledges he is unworthy of sonship. He will ask for a hired day-laborer position (less than the security of being a slave), but his father has been watching for him and, filled with compassion, forgetful of his dignity, runs to him, lovingly embracing and kissing him. He joyfully welcomes him with robe, ring, shoes, extravagant feasting, music and dancing. He calls him “this son of mine” (24).

In contrast, the elder son nowhere addresses his father as such, even though his father goes out to him, also. He tenderly calls him “my son” (31) and pleads with him to join in rejoicing that the lost was found, but this angry son refuses to share in the joy. He calls his brother “this son of yours” (30). He considers himself an obedient slave to his father and jealously accuses him of never encouraging his celebration with friends, ignoring the fact that everything the father owned was his to enjoy. Like yesterday’s parables, this depicts two possible relationships with God: that of repentance and welcoming joy for sinners or, while apparently being “with” the Father, experiencing nothing of a relationship of love, joy and forgiveness of sins.

Apply

Is there someone you need to forgive and lovingly welcome? How could you show them the Father’s love?

Closing prayer

Loving Lord, I lift my praises that as we come in repentance, You welcome us, whether we have lived far away or close to You.

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