Lost and Found

"But now we must celebrate and rejoice, 

because your brother was dead and has come to life again; 

he was lost and has been found.’” 

LUKE 15:32

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. It is often interpreted as illustrating God’s forgiveness and the joy in heaven over a sinner who repents. The father’s compassionate welcome of his repentant son is seen as a metaphor for God’s forgiveness of sinners. No matter how far we stray, we are always welcomed back. The father’s joyous reception of his wayward son demonstrates God’s boundless love. The younger son’s hardships began when he demanded his inheritance prematurely. This underscores the importance of patience and trusting in God’s timing. He realizes his mistakes and decides to return home, hoping for forgiveness. This teaches us about the importance of acknowledging our wrongdoings and seeking forgiveness. The older son’s reaction to his brother’s return reveals the destructive power of jealousy and resentment. It’s a reminder to rejoice in others’ redemption rather than harboring negative feelings. We are all considered children of God regardless of our sins.

1 Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, 2 but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 So to them Jesus addressed this parable. 11 “A man had two sons, 12 and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. 14 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. 16 And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. 17 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. 18 I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ 20 So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 25 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31 He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 32 But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’” (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)

In the grand tapestry of life, woven so wide, each thread a soul, in God's love, we confide. Regardless of our sins, our missteps and falls, we are His children, He hears our calls. In His divine kingdom, no doors are closed, to His loving embrace, no child is opposed. Though we may falter, and from His path, we veer, His call remains constant, His message clear. "You are all my children," so says the Divine, "Lost in the wilderness, or in righteousness, you shine. Despite your sins, your soul, I never disown for you are my child, to me, you are known." So let us remember, in our darkest hour when weighed down by guilt, losing our power, we are all considered children of God, so grand, guided by His love, by His merciful hand.

Dear Heavenly Father, in the quiet of our hearts, we come to You acknowledging that we are Your children, in all that we do. Despite our sins, our missteps, and our falls, You embrace us as Your own, answering our calls. You see not just our actions, but our hearts' intent, Your love for us, unchanging, never spent. Regardless of our sins, our failings, and our strife, we remain Your children, in this life. Help us to remember, in our darkest hour, that we are Your children, blessed with Your power. Help us to seek Your forgiveness, to make a fresh start, knowing we are Your children, held close to Your heart. In Jesus' most holy name, we pray, Amen.

God does not remain angry forever but delights in showing divine care, forgiveness, mercy, faithfulness, compassion, and in showing steadfast love. Casting of sins into the sea is a metaphor for complete forgiveness and forgetting of wrongdoings. No matter the sin or guilt, God has the capacity to pardon and cleanse the individual. God may be displeased with our actions at times, His anger is not everlasting. It gives way to forgiveness and mercy. Clemency refers to mercy or leniency. God takes pleasure in showing mercy to His people, rather than punishing them. Despite any transgressions, despite human failings, God will continue to show compassion, offer love and mercy. This understanding of God provides comfort and hope to many believers. 

14 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, that dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; 15 As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. 18 Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, 19 and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; 20 you will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old. (Micah 7:14-15, 18-20)

In the vast expanse of the celestial sphere, a divine presence, we hold so dear. Anger, a fleeting shadow in His divine light, His love, the eternal day that ends our night. God, in His mercy, a forgiving dove does not remain angry, but radiates love. He washes away guilt, makes the sinner pure, in His divine care, we find a cure. Forgiveness, a gift, He freely gives, in His mercy, our spirit lives. Faithfulness, a promise, never undone, steadfast as the journey of the sun. Compassion, His nature, in abundance flows, in His love, the flower of hope grows. Steadfast love, a river, forever deep, in His grace, He shepherds His sheep. So let us rejoice in His divine art for God delights in the merciful heart. His love, a beacon in the star-studded sky, a testament that He hears every cry.

Dear Heavenly Father, in the quiet of this moment, we come to You acknowledging Your divine care, so faithful and true. You do not remain angry, but delight in grace, in Your presence, we find our sacred space. Your forgiveness washes over us like a cleansing tide, in Your mercy, we find a place to confide. You pardon our sins, remove our guilt, in Your love, our lives are built. Your faithfulness is a beacon in the night, guiding us with its unwavering light. Your compassion, like a comforting balm, in the midst of storms, brings a soothing calm. You show steadfast love, unchanging and pure, in Your promise, we find security sure. You cast our sins into the sea, in Your forgiveness, we are set free. So we pray, O God, in Jesus' holy name, help us to love others, do the same. To show divine care, forgiveness, and love, as You do for us, from Heaven above. Amen.

God does not deal with us according to our sins or repay us according to our wrongdoings. He will not always rebuke or keep His anger forever. The vast distance between the heavens and the earth is a metaphor for God’s immense kindness towards those who fear Him. Bless the Lord and forget not all His benefits. Acknowledge His mercy, compassion, and righteousness.

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. 3 He pardons all your iniquities; he heals all your ills. 4 He redeems your life from destruction; he crowns you with kindness and compassion. 9 He will not always chide, nor does he keep his wrath forever. 10 Not according to our sins does he deal with us, nor does he requite us according to our crimes. 11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12)

In the realm where divine justice reigns, where love's river forever flows and never wanes, God gazes upon us, His creations so dear, not through the lens of sin, but with love clear. He does not deal with us as our sins dictate, nor repays us for wrongs, small or great. His justice is tempered by mercy divine, in His court, love's the only line. Rebuke and anger, they may come, like a storm under the setting sun. But remember, His anger will not last, it fades away, like shadows the daylight has cast. For God is love, and love is kind, in Him, forgiveness we always find. He does not keep His anger, nor lets it stay, like night giving way to the break of day. So take heart and in His love, believe for His mercy, we always receive. God does not deal with us according to our sins, in His love, everyone wins.

Dear Heavenly Father, in the quiet of our hearts, we acknowledge Your divine mercy, You do not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us for our folly. Your love is greater than our transgressions, Your forgiveness our holy treasury. You are slow to anger, abounding in love, Your patience is our sanctuary, You do not rebuke us without end, nor keep Your anger eternally. In Your wisdom, You correct us gently, guiding us to live righteously. We thank You for Your compassion, Your love that sets us free, for not treating us as our sins deserve, for lifting our guilt effortlessly. Your mercy is as vast as the heavens, Your love deeper than the sea. Help us to walk in Your ways, to reflect Your love in our journey, to forgive as You forgive, to love as You love unconditionally. For You are our God, our Redeemer, our strength and our surety. In Jesus most holy name, we pray, Amen.

Pericope:

V: The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke's Travel Narrative

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP / THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON

Luke 15:1-10 / 11-32

III: Admonition

CONDEMNATION AND PRAYER

Micah 7:1-20

Fourth Book of Psalms 90-106

PRAISE OF DIVINE GOODNESS

Psalm 103:1-22

Reflection Source:

Copilot with Edge