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Joy in coming home
Father God welcomes everyone – if we allow him (Luke 15.1-3,11b-32).
Context
- Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s reunion with her family last weekend caused huge joy for her, her husband, daughter and wider family along with all of those who had been campaigning for this over the last six years. There has, however, been some backlash against her since she arrived.
- Refugees from Ukraine are hoping to arrive in the UK next week. There is a question mark over the barriers being put in the way of those seeking to join family members here and certainly the numbers show that most refugees from Ukraine are currently in Poland.
- Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, presents his Spring Budget this week.
Reflection and ideas for a sermon, talk or conversation
- Whatever your political views, the pictures of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe being reunited with her family are cause for celebration. It is an illustration of the father-heart of God which longs to be reunited with His children however long the parting – and whatever the reason for it. Oftentimes we project on to God what His reaction to our returning to Him will be but the parable describes only joy and exuberant celebration on the part of the Father when His child returns home. However, the reaction of some to Nazanin’s criticism of the UK government culminated in the hashtag #sendherback trending on Twitter. This suggests that there are those who, like the older brother, are watching to see if there is sufficient remorse or gratitude on the part of those who are blessed. God’s grace will always continue to be poured out; whether we join in celebration or hold back in judgement is down to us.
- Immigration is always a hot potato topic and our congregations will have differing views on it. There can be a sense that those seeking refuge are asking for resources that will then be removed from others who are already living here. Some are suspicious that those who receive sanctuary and help might not be deserving of it. Our passage reminds us that none of us are worthy to receive God’s goodness and God’s grace but that he extends it to everyone. Moreover, one person receiving grace from God does not mean that there will not be sufficient grace for another. Our God has the resources and the heart to forgive and bless all that will turn and come home. The warning in the passage is that some of those who stand closest to God’s house might choose to exclude themselves out of anger at the undeserved grace lavished on others.
- The budget this week focusses our minds on our pockets and the rising prices of food, energy, petrol etc. In the parable, one son loses his relationship with his father when he focusses on the material things that he thinks will bring him happiness. It is only when the money runs out that he thinks of returning home and how he might earn his place back in his father’s house. The eldest son also focusses on material things, working each day in the fields and not even asking for a goat to share with his friends. Just because he isn’t spending money, doesn’t mean that the older brother isn’t equally focussed on it. The prize in the parable is relationship with the Father which is freely given - but first rejected by one son then refused by the other. As bills rise and financial pressures increase, God still offers us relationship with Himself first and foremost. When we allow other things to take precedence we run the risk of losing the joy that Father God wants us to find in being with him.
Questions for discussion
- Which son do you identify with the most?
- Do you think the older son joined the party at the end of the story? Why / Why not?
- What do you find most challenging about the way that other people relate to God?
- What in day-to-day life affects your relationship with God the most? Financial concerns? Relationship issues?
Steve Taylor is joint-vicar of St James, Alperton (CofE) near Wembley. He shares the job with his wife, Ali, and shares his house with their two daughters, two cats and a few fish.
Check-in
Connecting faith with everyday, real-life issues for young people
On Thursday, the world watched emotional scenes unfold as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was welcomed back home after being wrongly imprisoned in Iran for six years. Can you imagine the joy her family must have felt on seeing her return after such a long time? Have you experienced being reunited with someone after a long time apart? How does it feel?
Although for many years it was not clear if and when Nazanin would be released, her husband Richard never gave up trying to get her back. Through campaigns and even hunger strikes, he devoted his life to bringing home the one he loved. What acts of sacrificial love have others shown you?
In Luke 15.1-3,11-32, Jesus tells a story about someone waiting to welcome a loved one home, in love. He tells of a father with two sons, one of whom has gone away for a long time and blown all his money. Eventually, the son decides to return to his father and ask for forgiveness and help. The father loves and misses his son so much, he spends the time his son is away waiting and watching for his return, and when he sees him, he runs to him, welcomes him, and throws a party to celebrate having him back.
There are times in everyone’s life when we feel separated from God but, like an excited family or a devoted parent, God waits to welcome us back in love. Think of the joy of the Zaghari-Ratcliffe family, or the extravagant love of the father in the story. What can these tell us about how God welcomes us back when we return?
Darren Philip explores intergenerational ministry with the Church of Scotland, based in Livingston United Parish Church.
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