LOVING HUGS. SERMON FOR TBW/ST. JAMES
FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT
LUKE 15:1-3, 11b-32
MARCH 29/30, 2025
JAN JORDAN
“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.” (Luke 15:20)
Our fourth Sunday in Lent allows us to hear another teaching story from Jesus in the Gospel of Luke.
As we travel our own Lenten journeys of prayer and reflection about the direction our spiritual life is taking us, we have studied Jesus’ example of resisting temptation and we turn to God for our spiritual strength. We have the image in our minds of Jesus gathering his children as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings and last week the story of how the fig tree was given a second chance to become fruitful as God intended.
Today’s story about the Prodigal son is unique to the writer of Luke’s Gospel. The Pharisees and scribes are having another grumpy “we just don’t get Jesus” situation. Why in the world does Jesus keep associating with tax collectors and sinners and invites them to eat with him. So, Jesus proceeds to tell them about - the father and his two sons.
The younger son decides he wants to take off on his own and wants his share of what he would inherit for his journey. He seems to be pretty confident in his life choice that what lies ahead of him is more important than the unconditional love and security he is leaving behind. So, he wanders off. How heart sick his father must have felt to watch him walk away. I can’t even imagine how sad God feels when His love is rejected.
The young son soon finds out that the life he chose is not so great when you live “high on the hog,” (pun intended) lose all of your finances and then a famine hits. He no longer has a loving community to support him. He soon found himself taking care of pigs which is the lowest of lows for someone of Jewish heritage at that time. I wonder what the Pharisees and scribes thought about this part of Jesus’s parable. 😊
Fortunately, the youngest son “came to himself” (v. 17) or in other words – reflected on his life, realized what he had left behind and changed direction – to return to his father with remorse and seeking forgiveness. Sometimes we too, have those low times, especially with the state of what’s happening around us in the world or in our own personal world. We can get a “little lost” during our life’s journey and wander off.
Bishop Barker said in his Lenten message; ” This is not an easy time, and it will not be an easy Lent. But if you seek to love like Jesus in your life, you have to begin by being real about the distortions and failures that are yours, and to engage in the work of confession and repentance. Then having sought and been granted forgiveness by the Lord of all, do your daily best to follow in his way…” Now, we may think the father would have been angry and unforgiving towards his son for being selfish and leaving, for abandoning his family, his community. But, not so. He was waiting for him to return. Just as our Father waits for us.
“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.” What a great image of God’s forgiving love for us! I was at a recent Benedictine Way retreat where Canon Lisa of Kansas described forgiveness as “returning to the embrace of God’s Grace.” I am one of those “hugger people” so love the imagery of reaching out to others with loving embraces and of receiving them.
You never know how much a genuine, loving hug could help someone change the course of their day. I remember as a kid, coming down our farmhouse stairs, first thing in the morning to the kitchen where my mom was waiting for me and my sibs, cooking breakfast and greeting us with the biggest hugs and a kiss to start our day. Yes, Hugs are important. Just think about all the hugs we have given and received from family members, friends and colleagues during good times and rough times. The loving hugs. The encouraging hugs. The forgiving hugs. The special blessing of having young children, grandchildren and for some – great grandchildren fly across the room into our arms for hugs and kisses! These are the best. 😊
Then, there is the loving extension of our hands to each other and our embrace as we exchange the sign of the Peace of God before the Eucharist. The extending of our hands at the Eucharist – as we receive the Sacrament of the uniting presence of Christ.
The father receives the younger son back into his family and community with love and compassion. A feast is arranged in celebration “for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (v 24) Just when the father thought all was well with his family, he now finds his oldest son mired down with selfish and jealous thoughts about his brother’s return. Why should his brother be welcomed back with a celebration? Doesn’t he deserve to be given more and a celebration besides? After all he was the one to stick around and do the work. The older son is angry and deaf to his father’s pleading to understand and rejoice in his brothers’ return. He doesn’t get the situation – kind of like the Pharisees and scribes. In his book “The Gospel of Peace,” John Dear points out that “the father shows unconditional love and compassion to the resentful older son.” “You are here with me always” is a statement of total affirmation and loving kindness.” (p 329)
Our God’s love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness is far beyond what we could ever understand. He gets our challenges. He is always there for us with his forgiving embrace. A prayer found on page 101 in the Book of Common Prayer that we pray at Morning Prayer from time to time says; “Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name.” We don’t know if the older son responded to the loving invitation of his father to reconsider and return to the celebration for his brother or if any of the Pharisees or scribes were moved by Jesus’ words. We do know that when we respond by opening our hearts and extending our hands and arms to those around us - no matter what the need is - we are following in the way of Jesus - offering love and compassion and are joining in God’s celebration of his Kingdom.
Amen
The Learning Bible CEV 1995
The Book of Common Prayer
The Gospel of Peace. John Dear
Feasting on the Word Year C, Volume 2 p 116-121