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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Opus 2013-196: The Welcome Mat Is Out

Why do people keep returning to the Parable of the Prodigal Son?  Maybe because they see themselves in it.  Maybe because it has so many lessons and examples for us.  Like many stories that Jesus told, it is misnamed.  It is more about the love of the father than the nature of the son.  Or sons, remember there were two of them and the father loved them both.

The father and his love represent the love of God.  The father did not go out looking for the son, he waited for the son to make the decision to come to the family again.  He had laid the groundwork.  It doesn’t say it in the text but I can imagine the father saying as the boy left, “Remember that you are always my son, this is still your home and the welcome mat is always out.”  It is certainly what I would have said.  One danger of interpreting parables is the way we keep moving away from the basic point being made.  Here it is the forgiveness of God.  People try to make it an explanation of how grace works.  Not so.  There is no evidence the father sent out search parties.  He may have known the kid was coming back, who knows, but there is no indication.  He did not need to know all the things the boy had done, one sniff was enough.  I don’t know if you have been around pigs but they have a distinctive aroma that just won’t go away.

What we do know is that if we are willing to get out of the pig pen, turn our faces toward the Father and approach Him, we will be welcome.

Years after making that journey I still find it comforting.

homo unius libri

4 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. I hope that means I am doing something right. Thanks for the support.

      Grace and peace.

      Delete
  2. It is such a blessing to know that when we mess up, because we are human, zo we will, that God is always willing to forgive and say ,My child , welcome home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You get a big "Amen" on that. It one of the reasons I can say "Marvelous" when people ask me how I am doing.

      Grace and peace.

      Delete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.