I had the gift of preaching yesterday at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Orlando on behalf of their fine Rector, Fr. David Bumsted+. Deeply grateful for his ministry.
The Parable of the Prodigal Sons, also called The Parable of the Father’s Love, offers tantalizing opportunities to connect the parable to our daily lives, to our families, and to our experience of God.
The challenge of this parable is to keep listening, to listen to it again, and to be open to the possibility it may say something new to us. Stepping into a parable — even a much-beloved parable — is like stepping into a river; you cannot step into the same river twice, as Heraclitus of Ephesus reminds us.
One of the hardest things we face in life and the spiritual journey is to stop being the prodigal son without turning into the elder brother. It Is a challenge we all must face.
The Good News Jesus reveals in the parable centers on the extravagant love of a father who culturally humiliates himself to show mercy to both of his lost sons who share the tragic flaw of having no idea who their father is. It is an invitation to the joy of being home with God.
As St. Augustine said: “We have heard the fact, let us seek the mystery.”
With you on the Journey to a more Flourishing Life,
Rob+
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