Luke 15:11-32 – The Parable of the Lost Son
REFLECTION
Greed, jealousy, avarice are familiar characteristics we see all too often within society. It’s particularly sad to see within families. I understand sibling rivalry in children is quite normal but as an only child I could never understand when my children would argue. “Family is where life begins and love never ends” is a quote on a photo frame one of them bought me. A sentiment I would like to believe in. Family should be the place where you are safe, nurtured and loved. A place in which you can develop into the person God intends you to be.
A place where you can learn what it is to be yourself and be fully accepted. A place where you grow through love. Trust, acceptance, nurture, support, love should be the words we associate with family. Thankfully for many that is the case. However, for far too many the words abuse, brokenness, jealousy, hatred, control, are the lived experience.
Trauma in our childhood often lays buried but affects our adult lives and how we live out our relationships. When what you learn is to mistrust those who have the care of you it is almost impossible to trust anyone to get close to you. there are no easy answers. It is not enough just to say love conquers all. People need to see it in practice over time. To learn to trust again. Unconditional love is what we are called to live.
It is possible but not easy. It is like a vicious cycle. How can we love unconditionally if we have unresolved issues from our past? We open ourselves to be vulnerable and are hurt again, so retreat into our shell. Past abuse and trauma tell us we are unworthy, unlovable, and unattractive.
If we are to be healed of any hurt we need to learn to see ourselves through God’s eyes, eyes that see us as beautiful and lovable. To do requires us to let go of the image of the love we have experienced and replace it with God’s all-encompassing love. Paul beautifully illustrates this in 1 Corinthians 13.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
QUESTIONS
- Have you ever squandered what you have been given?
2. Have you been jealous/envious of others? How did you behave in this situation?
3. Has anyone been jealous of you? how did that manifest itself? How did you respond?
4. Have you experienced unfair treatment in your life?
5. Where have you witnessed unfair treatment of others?
6. Have you experienced forgiveness? How did that affect you?
PRAYER
Loving God
help me to be patient and kind.
Help me to not envy others.
Help me to be humble in all that I do and say.
Help me to respect other people.
Help me to seek the good of all.
Help me to be calm and forgiving.
Help me to always protect, always, trust,
always hope and always persevere so that my love never fails.
Amen
Leonora Wassell – CoChair
