Still a long way off

Luke 15:1-3; 11-32

Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”

In the Name of God the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer Amen

The story of the Prodigal Son is one of those multi-layered stories of Jesus - that every time we read it, we might see something different in it.

We hear lots about the younger son, living it up, falling on hard times and coming to his senses.

I’ve always wondered about whether the younger son really changed - or whether he simply came to know where he was well off.

And we hear much about the father, rushing to welcome him home.

Those words, “while he was still a long way off” are some of my favourite words in scripture.

One of our post communion prayers used to use those words: While we were still a long way off, you came to meet us.

For a long time I’ve had much sympathy for the elder brother who felt left out of the party.

I wonder if he ever joined in?

Or whether he carried on doing all the things he had done - with added resentment.

I wonder if the elder brother ever woke up to the knowledge of all that was his for the taking- “ all that is mine is yours”

And of course, the woman of the house, if there was one, doesn’t get a mention.

How will this parable speak afresh to us today?

Will we recognise where we are well off and return - changed or not?

Will we see afresh the abundant gifts of God that have always surrounded us?

And will we share out of that abundance rather than scarcity?

Will we know our God as the prodigal one - who is extravagant with love and with grace?

Will we know today that we are enough?

That we can make a difference?

Today, as we read this parable, at the mid point of Lent, I’m drawn back to Ash Wednesday, recalling that as we gathered to remember that we are dust, Russia invaded Ukraine.

And we had an all too tangible reminder that we are dust.

Almost 4 weeks on, lives are still being lost, cities are being destroyed and we’re seeing the best and the worst of human behaviour.

The courage and compassion of those who rush to help.

And the seeming inhumanity of those in power who rush to put obstacles in the way of those fleeing for their lives - especially here in the UK.

While an evil regime continues to wreak carnage.

We’re at the mid point in Lent.

We need Easter and we need it to come quickly.

We need resurrection - the reminder that death does not have the last word, that love will triumph over evil.

In the meantime…

May we not stand by as evil gathers forces and takes up arms.

May we recognise the abundance that surrounds us - the amazing love and grace of God.

May we be filled not with resentment but with hope as we continue to serve God - to spread the love and grace of God wherever we are, knowing their overwhelming power to conquer evil.

May we be generous with the gifts that God has given, doing all that we can to bring peace into a world at war.

In the name of Christ, Prince of Peace.

Amen.