Today’s lectionary reading is the parable of the Prodigal Son, the one who takes half his father’s wealth, goes off to some sin-filled city, engages in riotous living, then repents and retunes home to his father who embraces him with open arms. One writer says it is a parable of welcome to all, but we have to ask what repentance means.
“Loosely based,” as one writer put it, on the parable, it was made into one of those blockbuster biblical epics of the1950’s with Lana Turner and Edmund Purdom, of course, which spent more time in the riotous living than the one verse could imagine, except for Hollywood.
In spite of the all’s well that ends well ending of both the parable and the movie, deep in our hearts we know that repentance doesn’t solve the problem of the destruction or hurt that remains. There are times when saying I’m sorry isn’t enough. What then?
Prayer for the Day
Needing your Presence in our lives, we come to you, O God,
For we often forget whose people we are supposed to be.
Seeking mercy from you when we deny it to others,
We ask what is the meaning of repentance and forgiveness.
Told you, O God, are always merciful to forgive when we repent,
May we also give others the opportunity for a fresh start.
In the name of the One who gives us that opportunity,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
What we love once, we love forever. Shall there be joy in heaven over those who repent, yet no forgiveness for them upon earth?
Ouida, 19th century British novelist, from Wanda (1839-1908)
[T]he transition from lost to found is never an easy one. It is never easy to be a prodigal son -- or daughter. It is never easy to say, 'I will arise and go to my father ...' (Luke 15:18, 19). This is never easy, because it is not until our situation becomes completely hopeless that we can humble ourselves to the extent of admitting that such a gross mistake was our own.
Robert L. Short, from The Gospel According to Peanuts (1932-2009)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
According to your abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
Psalm 51:1-3