Chrissie Prichard, Member since 2007, Staff Parish Relations Committee member, Outreach Commission member

Center yourself on today’s reflection by lighting a candle and reciting this breath prayer:
Inhale – In the morning when we rise
Exhale – may your image shine in us.

Luke 15:11-24 (CEB)
Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. 13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.

14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

Reflection:
One of my favorite things to do is spend time with my four siblings. Each time we are together we laugh until we cry telling stories about our childhood and poking fun at our parents. When we celebrated my parents’ 40th anniversary last year, we were in the middle of making fun of my parents for one thing or another when my brother remarked that despite their imperfections, many of which still make us laugh decades later, my parents created a home we knew would welcome us no matter what. No matter what we did wrong and no matter how long it might have been, we had a place to call home. As an adult, I know that this is one of the greatest gifts my parents could have ever given me. Perhaps this is why the story of the prodigal son has always been one of my favorites—the perfect picture of repentance and grace.  

A common definition of repentance is “to turn” or “return.” It is a picture of action, of making a conscious decision to move towards something and away from something else. As Christians, grace is at the center of our story, and repentance means we have an open invitation to move towards, or return to, God’s grace. Sometimes I feel as if I am constantly being pulled in the wrong direction—by a busy life full of other “priorities,” complacency, the harsh words of others, or frustration due to all the challenges and suffering we’ve endured and continue to endure. But despite this constant pull, I know I want to return home to God’s grace, and I know it is there waiting for me if I will only turn towards it. Not once, but continuously. What a gift!

The prodigal son turned towards grace, making the decision to begin the long walk home. As with this parable, we have no promises that the walk will be easy, and there is almost always pain behind us. But no matter how far we’ve strayed, no matter how long we’ve been gone, no matter how many times we’ve returned before, we have an open invitation to come home to God’s grace. Not to be simply welcomed, but celebrated! What a gift! Sometimes I’m overcome with the profoundness of this gift, and my heart breaks for those who don’t know the promise of the grace and love of God waiting for us if we only turn towards it. How fortunate we are to know of and be comforted by God’s promises!

Returning to my parents’ home in the middle of nowhere isn’t always easy (a 10+ hour drive or a flight with a shorter drive), but my siblings and I are grateful that each time we make the decision to go home we will be welcomed with love, and often celebrated with our favorite meal or dessert. When Jesus tells the story of the prodigal son, he is teaching us that all of us have this same promise, but on a much grander scale! We have the promise of sanctifying grace if we only choose to turn towards it and walk home. What a gift!

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the open invitation to return home to your grace. What an amazing gift! Help us to hear your voice as you continually call us home despite the constant pull of the world that seems to move us in the opposite direction. Guide us as we desire to choose daily, moment by moment, to turn towards you and the sanctifying grace only you can offer. Thank you for this unspeakable gift! Amen.