Lent: Journey According To LukeSample

JOY AT BEING FOUND

DEVOTION
We always enjoy a good party. Birthday, wedding or baby shower are all wonderful occasions we would love to attend. However, have you ever attended a party celebrating a broken relationship, which became mended? It must be awkward to attend such a party. Where do you start a conversation?

In our reading today, the father threw a lavish party with the best food reserved for special guests just because his runaway son returned. Is that a cause for a big celebration? For God, the greatest joy is when sinners return to him. The father’s joy was such a contrast to the anxiety he felt when waiting at the open door, just in case his rebellious son happened to decide to come home.

Do you know God has a lavish party ready just in case we return to him? For God, our return brings him the greatest joy. For us, when we return to God by repenting of our sins, by being a peace maker, by being willing to let go of grudges and forgive someone who has wronged us, by living a life according to his teaching, joy and peace will also come upon us as well. This path towards wholeness is what Lent is calling us to embark on. God has a big party ready waiting for our return. Don’t let God wait any longer for our return to him!

FOR REFLECTION
• In what ways do you find yourself ‘returning’ to God?
• Like the older brother, churches are filled with people who are living out their duty and not experiencing the joy of a personal relationship with God. Is this you?
• Do you really appreciate the love you live in?

PRAYER
Thank you dear God, that your mercy and forgiveness greet us when we come home. Help me to be at home with you, to rejoice with others and share the good news of your love. For Jesus’ sake. Amen.