A Reflection on the Reading

Jesus continues his journey to Jerusalem and we continue our journey through the season of Lent. Each week the reality of the cross becomes more intense and the stakes get higher. This week we pause in Luke 15. Jesus is scorned by the Pharisees because he “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus responds to their disdain with a series of parables that runs all the way to Luke 17:10 (See page 18 of A Cartoonist’s Guide to Luke to see them all in context).

The RCL only asks us to read one of these parables–the lost son–and then leaves the Gospel of Luke next week. It is easy to lose sight of the purpose of this familiar parable when it is plucked out of its context like this. Perhaps it would serve us well to read all of the parables in this section together to see why Luke collected these parables of Jesus in this moment on the journey.

Here is the order: A lost sheep found, a lost coin found, a prodigal son welcomed home and a brother who is jealous, a dishonest manager who uses money to build relationships, a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus who end up in Hades together, a reminder to always forgive one another, faith like a mustard seed, and a reminder that Jesus’ disciples are servants.

It seems to me that, in this collection of parables, Jesus is criticizing the Pharisees for the following lapse in leadership: First, they have made harsh boundaries in order to keep “sinners” out and maintain their own identity as “God’s chosen people.” Second, they love money more than they love people. Third, they have turned their position of spiritual leadership into a way to lord it over people that they consider inferior to themselves.

The parable of a father who welcomes home a repentant son, in this larger context, is a reminder to all of us–especially those who may identify with the jealous brother–that God’s love is for everyone. God’s arms are open wide. We who are church leaders, or who consider ourselves “the faithful ones” are called to love all and “eat with sinners” as we are servants of Christ’s love for the whole world.

For the Revised Common Lectionary

• Joshua 5:9-12 – The Manna stops because the people have arrived
• Psalm 32:1-11 – Happy are the forgiven
• 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 – Jesus became sin so that we might become righteousness
• Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 – Parable of the Father and Two Sons

Chapel this week…

• Monday Text Study – 11:00am Zoom only
• Tuesday Contemplative Practice – 11:00am OCC Meditation Chapel and Zoom
• Wednesday Holy Communion – 11:00am in the Chapel and on YouTube. It is the fourth week of the month, so it is time for Contemporary Worship Style. Our musicians have put together some Summer Camp Favorites to lead us into a time of worship in community. I am preaching this week and Dr. Elton will preside. Chapel Cafe is open immediately following Chapel, so come for treats and fellowship!
• Thursday
  • Lunch Church. 11:00am Erin DeBour-Moran, the director of music for the Chapel, will lead us in a spiritual practice of singing circles this week. Dining Room A.
  • Virtual Vespers at 7:00pm on Zoom.
• Friday Intercessory prayer – 11:00am on Zoom.