The Prodigal

Jesus said, “There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, ‘Father, I want right now what’s coming to me.’

Let us pause for the impatient
for a generation that needs what is only immediate
where investment never made by time
that matures
and grows in wisdom
For the immediate opportunities
rather than the slower future ones we need to wait on

SILENCE

“So the father divided the property between them. It wasn’t long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country.

Let us pause for the travellers
whose sights are set on things
beyond their dissatisfaction
who leave something behind
before engaging with recreating it
whose dissatisfaction
is enough to leave that which loves him
behind

SILENCE

There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had.

Let us pause for that age
who spends life today
without an eye to tomorrow
who lives only in the moment
the richness of now
and who have no inkling
for tomorrow
who do not look forward to tomorrow
now is the moment

SILENCE

After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt.

Let us pause
for the hungry
those the rich trade off
those the land has forgotten
those who do not experience the justice of creation

SILENCE

He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
 “That brought him to his senses.

Let us pause for the moment of enlightenment
when the puzzle of life
clicks a bit more into place
where injustice’s question
is asked
and the journey towards an answer
begins

SILENCE

He said, ‘All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I’m going back to my father. I’ll say to him, Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.’ He got right up and went home to his father.


Let us pause for the returners
who come back
once they have broken
who find a place they call home
and dare believe it is still there

SILENCE

“When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him.

Let us pause
for all parents
whose hearts beat still
to the rhythm of their children’s names
and still make a space
for them to live

SILENCE

The son started his speech: ‘Father, I’ve sinned against God, I’ve sinned before you; I don’t deserve to be called your son ever again.’

“But the father wasn’t listening. He was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to feast! We’re going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time

Let us pause
for those who do not listen
to those who put themselves down
who have forgotten the excuse
and the reason they left
and find this new moment of return
the place where love is made real
where love can be shared again
after so much time being held onto
within being given away

SILENCE

From the Prodigal
to Joseph
the return is made real
the space is created
where a new thing happens
or re-membering the broken relationship
bring back together
that which has been broken or lost

It is where we meet tonight
as you are invited
quietly
to bring you own brokenness
bring your own relationships
longings
hurts
wounds
here
to be made whole again
at the table
that welcomes brokenness
and promises love

SILENCE