St. John’s Lutheran Church, Toluca, IL – 4th Sunday in Lent
Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Gospel
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to [Jesus.] 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3So he told them this parable: 11b “There was a man who had two sons. 12The 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. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. 14When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. 17But 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! 18I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20So 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. 21Then the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22But 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. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But 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. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But 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.’ ”
NRSV
Everybody Grumbles
Grace and peace to you, beloved of God, from our Savior and Lord. Jesus Christ.
The grumbling begins in this beloved parable of the gospel of Luke with the Pharisees and the Scribes. This fellow, this teacher, this Jesus, welcomes sinners and eats with them! They are not subtle, whispering among themselves. It may have started that way, but eventually, I suspect they spoke loud enough so Jesus would hear them. Jesus did, and this led to perhaps the most profound story about reconciliation and forgiveness in the gospels.
Grumblers do what they do. They complain about everyone and everything, and it is often hard for them to see the blessings right in front of them. Then Jesus tells them a parable, which begins with grumbling.
I suspect this young man, a beloved child of the father, has been unhappy for some time. We don’t know why. He is not the firstborn, which places him in a lesser status than his elder brother within the family. The older brother is the heir of the father’s household and is likely being prepared to take over the household when the time comes. Jesus does not tell us of the feather that broke the camel’s back, but for whatever reason, the boy had enough, apparently.
Yo, old man, I want what is mine! Which, by the way, we are not sure he earned. I am out of here. See you all in the next life! And off he went. It is safe to say that things did not go as he expected. He had a great time for as long as the money lasted. I suspect that made him the guy, popular, lots of friends, no, I correct myself, acquaintances. Guess what?! The money eventually ran out, and is like they say, life comes at you fast. He finds himself with no “friends” and is completely ripped off his dignity.
He comes to himself. Realizes the mess he put himself into and decides to go back home and beg the father for forgiveness. Justice to be told, he is by no means expecting much. He is happy being just a worker in the household, as long as he can get some clean clothes and decent food. His heart seems to be contrite enough.
Then is the elder son’s turn to grumble when he comes back from the field late, after a full day of work, and hears the sound of a party at the barn and the fatted calf roasting in the fire – music, dancing, and delicious food, joy, and celebration. We don’t know if he ever grumbled before, but now he is letting it all out. Are you throwing a party for that son of yours? I have always done everything you commanded me to do, dad! I have been loyal. I have worked hard. I have been responsible my whole life. I have always, always, strived to do the right thing. Actually, I have done everything right! And yet, you prepared the fatted calf for him! You are filling him with robes and rings and sandals after he wasted what you gave him! Dad, you never, ever gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends!
Do you know who never grumbles in this parable? The father. He seems to be always listening. He is patient, waiting, and willing to go and meet their children where they are. Everything and anything to have them back and their relationships restored. A little more water, a little more food, a little more nurturing. Love is his only tool to make all things new.
Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.
Bridging Faith 