The Fourth Sunday in Lent
March 14, 2010

Sermon by: Thomas Graf

May the Lord be in my heart and on my lips, that I might worthily proclaim His Holy Word.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL……this is one that is NO DOUBT familiar to us.
While ONLY found in Luke, it is one of the best known parables of Jesus. Of the 30, or
so parables in the Gospels, it was only ONE OF FOUR that were shown in Medieval Art.
almost to the exclusion of others. AND….there are MANY more depictions utilizing
this parable throughout the years—in ART.
ON STAGE: numerous PLAYS from early in the 15th CENTURY—right up to the 20th
Century with the MUSICAL---GODSPELL!
IN SONG: ROLLING STONES---1968—Beggar’s Banquet
U2---The First Time—based on the parable.

ART>>>STAGE>>>MOVIES>>>SONG

Dutch Theologian---Henri Nouwen’s 1992 book: The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming--------in which he describes his own spiritual journey infused with understanding based on an encounter with REMBRANDT’s Return of the Prodigal Son. He shows how the story is ILLUMINATED by the painting and is really about three personages:
1. The YOUNGER Prodigal Son
2. The SELF-RIGHTEOUS/RESENTFUL Older Son
3. The COMPASSIONATE FATHER
Nouwen describes how all Christians, himself included, struggle to free themselves from the weaknesses inherent in BOTH BROTHERS and are destined to find themselves becoming the ALL GIVING/ALL FORGIVING—Sacrificial Father.

WHY SO POPULAR? WHY ARE PEOPLE SO INTRIGUED?

Is it possibly because it cuts across all ines…..?
Is it possibly because most people can identify with both siblings—at some time in their lives??and…..maybe DESIRE TO BE that LOVING PARENT at some pt in their lives??
Is it possibly because it really makes us THINK…REFLECT…and PAUSE…?

THE SETTING:
LUKE----Tax collectors….and sinners!! Representing: ALL RELIGIOUS OUTCASTS!!
Notice that the RELIGIOUS LEADERS Murmored NOT at Jesus’ ACCEPTANCE OF HOSPITALITY but….at his GRANTING OF IT. Jesus is consequently viewed as a WELCOMING HOST who RECEIVES SINNERS at His table….rather than…as a GUEST WELCOMED AT THEIRS.

DO WE MURMOR???
Oh, NO, not us………………………..

Well…………we know that the EARLY CHRISTIANS who were gathering at the table of the Lord, were also protesting the presence of SINNERS and thus comes the THREE PARABLES:
1. The Lost Sheep
2. The Woman and the Lost Coin
3. The Prodigal Son

Who is the PRODIGAL??? Who are the FAITHFUL???

A number of years ago…1982…I took a A STROLL----wasn’t just a morning constitutional, it was part of my SEMINARY TRAINING. With a rather UNIQUE individual (WHO MANY PEROPLE MURMORED ABOUT---within and outside of the seminary)---a FRANCISCAN PRIEST---Fr. DePaul Genska.

It was part of the MINISTRY PRACTICUM-and the STROLL began around 11PM and went until EARLY IN THE MORNING HOURS. In some of the “SEEDIEST” areas of CHICAGO.

Fr. DePaul’s “SPECIAL MINISTRY” began shortly after his ordination in NY. As the story goes…he was driving home one evening (AROUND 2AM) in the Times Square area of NY—when stopped at a light there came a tap on his window---when he looked it was a woman. As he rolled down the window…he said “CAN I HELP YOU?” and she said…”NO, CAN I HELP YOU?” Fr DePaul was pretty GREEN and NAÏVE…and after some talking back and forth…when he finally REALIZED…..WHO SHE WAS…and WHAT SHE WANTED…he apparently said, “Oh, no my dear…I am a priest!” To which she replied…..”That’s OK Father!”

He then took in a deep sigh, and said...”Oh no my dear….oh no….” and before you knew it, he invited her to have a cup of coffee. They talked, and he did see her again and after several coffees…he began to reach out to other such individuals---NOT JUDGING…JUST BEING PRESENT…Getting to know them, birthdays—cards…caring…concern. From this beginning….grew a NEW GENESIS---GENESIS HOUSE

First in Chicago…and now 6 in US.HOUSE OF HOSPITALITY and NURTURING for WOMEN in PROSTITUTION.

The MISSION of Genesis House is to offer hospitality to all adult women caught up in the system of prostitution, to provide an environment where they can make a free choice regarding their lifestyle, and to assist those who choose to leave prostitution by offering them appropriate services and support.

NEW BEGINNINGS FOR MANY PEOPLE.
In Paul’s letter today…2 Cor
THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN CHRIST == NEW CREATION
Paul is drawing upon Jewish tradition which saw no better way to express God’s saving activity than to compare it to CREATION.
SAVING ACT OF CHRIST-------------NEW CREATION-------RECONCILIATION
The old has passed away…and NEW has come.
How does it occur?
1. INITIATIVE BY GOD
2. INTERMEDIATION OF CHRIST=== NEW CREATION/GENESIS

Our PSALM today is a MODEL of RECONCILIATION
So much so…that in some BYZANTINE RITES…the priest recites this psalm 3x as a way of personal purification before conferring the Sacrament of Baptism

The Psalm makes it clear that the SINFUL PERSON does NOT decide WHEN and HOW and WHY to Return to the Lord. God takes the initiative (FIRST STEP)
STEPS OF CONVERSION:
1. EXTREME WEAKNESS (the person is at a point of physical/emotional weakness)
2. There is a DECISION to CONFESS their Transgression PUBLICLY and to LORD
3. Acknowledgement of Guilt
4. Pardon is granted

This Psalm is needed by EVERYONE of us when we SUCCOMB to the ILLUSION of being WITHOUT SIN. It URGES us to STOP COVERING UP and to COME CLEAN. It is God’s instrument in the INITIAL STIRRING of GRACE---HOW WE ARE MOVED!

DO WE MURMOR? WHO IS THE PRODIGAL? THE FAITHFUL?
May we truly open our hearts to our Loving God’s STIRRING this Lent and prepare for NEW BEGINNINGS----through and with God’s Grace.