Road Trip: Heading West for Retreat

BB NOTE: As we've been hinting about here at the Cafe, BabyBlue is heading west this weekend for a retreat in the mountains. The invitation came and could not be turned down. Will we be able to sneak off and find a Starbucks somewhere to blog? We think not since there is also a Winter Storm Warning in the area. Alas!

So what shall all the Cafe patrons do while we are off on retreat? Well, thanks to the good folks over at Living Church, we took a sneak peak at the readings on Sunday and once again the Lectionary Rules! We're posting the Gospel reading, one of our all-time favorites, for Cafe Conversation. With the House of Bishops meeting, the sorrow of South Carolina, and the whirling of tinfoil hat conspiracies flying through the air - it is indeed a welcoming to sit down and read again how we are all prodigals - all of us - and the Father's love extends so far He will even let us go.

Then comes that place when we realize what we've done and what we've lost and we go home expecting nothing, nothing - only to find the joy of our Father welcoming our return. How can we ever forget what price was paid for that reconciliation? How amazing is that?

There is much talk these days about the "ministry of reconciliation" but the meaning of that phrase seems to have changed - that reconciliation now means some kind of enlightenment. But the passage we see here, the picture of reconciliation is one that includes massive repentance and no claim to victimhood. The son is lost and he knows he's lost and expects nothing except to be a servant not only to his Father, but to his Older Brother. How wretched must that have been, but would have been welcomed by the son. That's not what he finds when he returns home - what matters most to the Father is that his son was lost and now has been found. He does not restore the inheritance that was squandered (there is a cost to our rebellion), but the relationship is restored, fully restored. That is amazing grace.

In this week as we've been remembering William Wilberforce and the major debt we owe him for his courageous and ultimately victorious stand for righteousness, we remember another man hugely influenced by Wilberforce, who was also lost - horribly lost - and then found. He wrote classic hymn, Amazing Grace, now as much a part of the American landscape for it continues to not only be our story, but our hope - and yes, even in these uncertain times - our prayer. It captures the meaning of this text and reminds us that grace is a gift, an amazing gift - and one that the Prodigal Son never expected.

If someone could make sure the Butterbeer does not run dry and the Kettle is on the boil, we'll be back here on Sunday. Don't forget to take the cookies out of the oven. God bless you all.

bb

The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year C), March 18, 2007
BCP: Josh. (4:19-24), 5:9-12; Psalm 34 or 34:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:17-21; Luke 15:11-32

Here's the Gospel Text:

The Parable of the Lost Son
Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Luke 15:11-32 (NIV)

From The Living Church:

The Pharisees grumble that Jesus welcomes sinners, and he tells them a parable about a rich man and his two sons (Luke 15). After squandering his inheritance, the younger son hits bottom. But then he comes to himself. He resolves to return home to his father and 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” (Luke 15:19). That is a moment of conversion for the younger son, and he actually changes the direction of his life as he returns home.

But the father does not make his younger son beg for mercy. Filled with compassion, he runs to his son and hugs him. The father immediately organizes a great celebration, “for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” (Luke 15:24). Unfortunately, the elder son is not pleased by the celebration for his brother. He has been obedient and hard working, and there have been no celebrations for him. The father reassures the elder son of his love: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” But the younger son’s return to life must be celebrated.

St. Paul explains to the Corinthians that God has reconciled us to himself through Christ, and that God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. We see the meaning of this reconciliation clearly in the parable of the prodigal son. His many sins are forgiven even before he returns all the way home. Instead of reminding him of his many failures and imperfections, the father clothes him in a wonderful garment. Instead of lecturing him about his foolishness or making him wait as a punishment, the father rushes to welcome him and celebrates his return. The father is delighted that his lost son is “alive again.” The younger son’s trespasses were not counted against him (2 Cor. 5:19); his transgressions were forgiven and his sin was put away (Psalm 32:1).

The Pharisees looked down on the sinners who were being healed by Jesus’ love, and they criticized Jesus for welcoming people who were unworthy. The Pharisees had no heart for forgiveness and reconciliation. But we are called to be “ambassadors for Christ,” in whom God reconciles the world to himself (2 Cor. 5:19-20). We are to make visible the welcome and forgiveness that God freely offers to everyone. We can include all kinds of people in the embrace of radical hospitality. We are to forgive others as we have been forgiven by God, and celebrate our reconciliation in Christ.

Look It Up
The priest’s concluding prayer at the Reconciliation of a Penitent, Form Two (BCP, p. 451), states “Now there is rejoicing in heaven; for you were lost, and are found; you were dead, and are now alive in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Think About It
When have you experienced moments of conversion and reconciliation? How did you celebrate them?