Our Sacred Roots: The Priesthood of All Believers

166

T he S eason of L ent

Fourth Sunday in Lent March 27 - April 2, 2022

WEEK 18

The Lenten Season, a forty-day period starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Holy Saturday of Holy Week, calls us to reflect on Jesus’s suffering, crucifixion, and death. As disciples of the humble Nazarene, we embrace his lowliness and humility, seeking to share the mind of himwho was obedient to death, even death on a cross. THIS WEEK’S THEME The Parable of the Prodigal Father, Luke 15.1-3, 11-32 In the parable normally referred to as the Lost Son (or Prodigal Son), a father of two sons is confronted with the rebellion of his younger son. Foolishly and rashly, the youngest son demands his share of the father’s estate, and quickly squanders his inheritance, wasting all his money in wild living. He finds himself penniless, shamed, and hungry in a foreign country. Reduced to feeding swine, he even longs to eat the food provided for the pigs! Finally coming to his senses regarding his rebellion and its consequences, he resolves to return to his father, repent, and make himself available as one of his father’s hired hands. When the father spies his son coming, he uncharacteristically runs to his son with open arms, welcomes him home, and throws a big celebration for his arrival. Although the father’s extravagant (prodigal) actions produce resentment in his older son, the father reminds him that his younger brother who was lost, is now found again – and the finding deserves celebration.

Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker