TWO LOST SONS (03-10-13)

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Luke 15:31-32

“My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.  But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

We all heard about the “prodigal son”.  He left his family after taking all his inheritance (even when his father is still alive), and spent them all on vices.  When all the money is gone, he thought of going back to his father, not to ask for more, but to ask for forgiveness and to request to just work for him.

And his father would forgive him… no questions asked.  He did not even bother to let his son finish what he would be saying.  He knew that his waiting will not be in vain.  He knew that someday, his son would return… and he has already made up his mind – he would accept him no matter what. 

He would welcome him in his arms, and would never allow that he would be lost again.

Still, he also had another son who is “lost”.  The elder son may not have left their house, but the communication between them may have stopped the day he gave the younger son his share.  The elder son must be full of envy that he would spend his time with his friends rather than with his father.

And on that single day, the father was really hoping that he regained both his sons.  I would imagine the three of them embracing each other – the younger son finally forgiven and the elder son, finally reconciled with his father fully knowing that he has nothing to be envy about.

So, who are you?  The son that is lost and needs forgiveness from the Father?  Or the son that is with the Father, but your heart is away from Him?  Either, it is good to know that the Father is waiting and always willing to accept us again, so we can join him forever in His Kingdom in heaven.

Let us pray +

Almighty Father, I am lost, but you never cease to look for me until I find my way to you.  This is what true love is all about.  A patient love… a love full of forgiveness.  Thank you for everything.  Amen +

The Lord is kind and merciful.