Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
Today's Gospel portion begins with a consistent complaint of the Pharisees regarding Jesus, bewailing the fact that he eats with sinners and welcomes them. In response, Jesus tells them the story of the Prodigal Son, a story about a young man who wanted his father dead in desiring his inheritance early. He then goes on to spend the money in profligate living, eventually winding up tending swine, an unclean sinful profession in the Jewish world.
Despite the depravity of this man's sinful life, his father goes out in search of him, eventually finding the son. The father had already decided to bring his younger son home with him; he did not need his son's apology which the boy had not yet fully made as intended. Much to the chagrin of the older son, this father brings home his wayward son and throws a lavish celebration party for him, eating at table with this sinner just as Jesus does time and again.
If this is the image of God Jesus presents to us, and if this is the example of God Jesus himself models for us in his own actions, then we too must welcome the stranger and the estranged, breaking bread with them as our regular course of action. We must never ever refuse a person admittance to the table. And we must have as our singular mission that of this father, going about seeking out the estranged and reminding them of their welcome and place in the family of God.
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