The Gospel passage from the Fifteenth Chapter of St. Luke, which is appointed for the Ninth Sunday after Trinity, provides one of the most powerful images in the entire Bible. For the passage we hear read today has come to be known over time as the story of the "Prodigal Son." Certainly, Our Lord used this tale to describe how much God loves humanity. And yet in this one story there is so much represented here: the wickedness of the son; this son's recognition of his sins and wrongs against his father; the jealousy of the brother; etc. And yet, despite this passage being referred to as the "Prodigal Son," I have always contended that the story would be more accurately called "The Loving Father." As stated, there are multiple points in this story that we can choose to focus on, yet it is the image of the loving father waiting for his sons' return, . . . . hoping for his son to come home, . . . . praying for his son to come back . . .. .. and then finally seeing his son from a great distance and running to his son . . . . without a doubt, that is the most powerful image in all of Scripture. For it shows the love of a father that never gives up hope. It shows the determination of a father to still see his son, . . . . no matter what wrong the son has committed . . . . , it shows the love that a father has for his son despite everything else. It represents the love that God has for fallen humanity.
When the son returned to his senses, he made the decision to return to his father acknowledging that he had done wrong. He had his speech already planned out in his head before he went to his father. He finished his speech by describing himself: " . . . . . and am no more worthy to be called thy son" He knew deep down inside that he had done wrong. This is why Our Lord stated when telling the story that this young man had "come to his senses." He knew that he did wrong. He knew that he messed up big time. He knew that what he did was an offense against his father in how the son acted. And for all this, he no longer felt worthy to be called 'son.' And yet despite everything that this son did, his father treated him like royalty upon his return. He called for shoes to be placed on his feet and rings to be placed on his sons finger. The father called for a great feast in celebration. He did all of this for he loved his son. He was pleased to see the son's return. The reason that Our Blessed Lord chose to tell this story is certainly to show the celebration that God, Our Heavenly Father, has when we return to Him. When we, just like the Prodigal Son, come to our senses and realize that our sinfulness will not lead us anywhere. When we come to our senses and acknowledge that we have done wrong. When we come to our senses and realize that we are not worthy to be called a Christian. It is then that God shows His love for us and welcomes us home. We are worthy because we are loved. Loved by Our Heavenly Father that loved us so much that He sent His only Son into the world to die for our sins. God, just like the father in this story, waits patiently for us as well to return. He waits for us to come to our senses and make our return to Him. But only we can do that. God does not force our return. We have to make the decision to come back to Him.
St. Margaret Church gathers every Sunday morning to hear the Word of God and to worship Our Heavenly Father. We are a traditional church. We use the King James Version of the Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Mass begins at 9:30 AM. We celebrate at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis. Please join us and dedicate an hour of your week to God. Return home to Him, the God Who waits patiently for your return.
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