Sunday Worship 30th March

 Sunday Worship

Welcome to Sunday Worship in Leesfield Parish on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also Mothering Sunday. Our Church Services this morning are at the usual times of 9.15 at St Agnes' and 11.00 at St Thomas'.

If you are unable to be with us in person, you will find resources below to worship at home.

Our first hymn this morning is "Tell Out My Soul"

Today's Gospel

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32                                         The Prodigal Son

All the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to Jesus. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So Jesus told them this parable:

"There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.' So he divided his property between them. A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and travelled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."' So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe--the best one--and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate.

"Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, 'Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.'"

Reflection

Most people are familiar with parable of the prodigal son but we seldom refer this as the story of the loving father. 

Jesus tells this parable in response to criticism by the Pharisees when He is associating with tax collectors and sinners, when He is teaching them and eating with them.

 

It is a story of  rebellion, repentance and forgiveness, but moreover it has a message of grace, deep love and joy.

In Jewish tradition, the youngest son would have received 1/3  of the family inheritance – usually after the death of the father. His actions to some might have implied that he wished his father dead.

By providing the inheritance early it would have had a dramatic impact. It would have probably meant selling assets, land and livestock, potentially laying off some of the workers. It was a major deal. 

Having quickly squandered the money, the younger son is forced to lower himself to the most demeaning forms of labour and share food with the pigs. The mention of being driven to work with swine would be anathema to Jews and seen as utterly humiliating. The Jews didn’t eat or associate with pigs because they were unclean in covenant laws, [Lev. 11:7]. He would have been seen as the equivalent of a gentile – outside Jewish law – an outcast, no longer accepted by fellow Jews.

Because of this fall from grace, the younger son decides to go home, not because he feels sorry but because he has no real option. 

We might expect, as a minimum, that there would have been some sort of indictment and condemnation of the son’s actions. But the father runs out to greet him with open arms and lavish the best clothes and jewels upon him. This again would have been totally unacceptable in Jewish tradition and clearly riled the elder brother.

Nonetheless, the errant son is welcomed back, and there is much rejoicing just the same as the previous parables about the lost sheep, [Luke 15:6-7] and the lost coin, [Luke 15:9-10]. 

Remember Jesus told this parable in response to criticism that he was mixing with sinners. The message is clear, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 

Similarly, there is a message in the response of the father to the eldest son. Many would think was the elder son was rightly angry with the father for the love and generosity he shows the prodigal son. But the father shows that he is capable of loving them both. In the same way, even though Jesus loves those that some people see as undesirable, it does not mean that he loves other people any less.                   Paul   

Our Prayers

Loving Father,

We thank you that when we were still far off,

You met us in your Son and brought us home.

Help us respect one another and 

To show mercy to those who are misguided

and led astray.

Help us to rejoice with you,

When they are found and led home.

Amen 

Today's final hymn is "Bind Us Together, Lord"