To browse more spiritual readings, please go to: http://www.webprayze.com

J esus is asking us to take one more step away from self-centeredness and one step closer to his Father’s heart of mercy. So take him up on his offer. In prayer today, ask God to give you a deeper glimpse into his heart. Ask him to help you embrace his mercy today— and to show that mercy to one other person.

Saturday in the Second Week of Lent

Micah 7:14-15, 18-20

Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12

L uke 15:1-3, 11-32  Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. (2) And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." (3) So he told them this parable: (11) And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; (12) and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. (13) Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. (14) And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. (15) So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. (16) And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. (17) But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! (18) I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; (19) I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."'

(20) And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. (21) And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' (22) But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; (23) and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; (24) for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.

(25) "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. (26) And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. (27) And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' (28) But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, (29) but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. (30) But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!'

(31) And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. (32) It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Meditation by "The Word Among Us!"

He became angry. (Luke 15:28)

W hy couldn’t the older brother in this parable share in his father’s joy? His little brother has come home safe and sound! True, the young man had wasted so much of his father’s money—money that the older brother had helped earn. But still, this is a happy ending to a potentially tragic tale.

The older brother couldn’t see how good an ending it was. All he could see was how it affected him. After all, he was the one who stayed home and worked to build back up the value of the estate. He had to spend all his time untangling the knots caused by his younger brother’s indiscretions. If anyone deserved congratulations and a party, it was he.

It’s interesting that while this older brother had respected and obeyed his father, he was still blind to how good a father he had. He couldn’t understand why his father would throw a lavish celebration for this wastrel son because he couldn’t grasp how committed his father was to his family. He couldn’t see how much compassion and love his father had lavished on him, let alone his younger brother. And the sad result was that he had yet to learn some of the most important lessons his father wanted him to learn.

Jesus told this parable in response to some Pharisees who had been muttering against him for welcoming sinners. Through this story, he was inviting his detractors to understand how merciful his Father is. And he left the ending vague on purpose. How this parable will end is up to his hearers. Will the dutiful brother remain outside the family? Will Jesus’ critics embrace such a radical message of mercy? Will we?

Through this parable, Jesus is asking us to take one more step away from self-centeredness and one step closer to his Father’s heart of mercy. So take him up on his offer. In prayer today, ask God to give you a deeper glimpse into his heart. Ask him to help you embrace his mercy today— and to show that mercy to one other person.

“Jesus, give me a heart that longs for both justice and mercy. Lead me into the joy of your Father who delights when the lost are found.”

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU. – Bobot Apit

For past gospel meditations or to browse spiritual readings, you may visit the following:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=216458741502#!/home.php?sk=mynotes

http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com

http://www.webprayze.com