Loving the Older Brother
Loving the Older Brother
Luke 15 consists entirely of three parables of God’s literal passion for the unrepentant and lost—which Jesus will show most clearly on the cross—and his joy at their finding. I’m pretty sure you know them well: A man has a hundred sheep and loses one, so he leaves 99 sheep in open country and goes after the one that’s lost. A woman has ten silver coins and loses one, so she lights a lamp and sweeps the house, and seeks that coin with everything she’s got. And then there’s the lost son…the prodigal.
All three stories have similar conclusions: Found sheep? Party. Found coin? Party. Found son? Well…party!
The only significant difference in the parable of the lost son—who represents tax collectors and sinners Jesus had been “receiving and eating with”—is that the misery of his lostness is spelled out, the nature of his repentance is spelled out, and the lavish enthusiasm of the father is spelled out more fully than in the other two parables.
And while everyone else in the story is delighted, the lavish enthusiasm of the father creates a huge problem for one person, the older brother—who represents the Pharisees—the son who hadn’t squandered half his father’s life savings on debauched living, thank you very much!
The thing is, if you read with care the response of the father to his older son’s anger, you read Jesus’s tenderest words to the Pharisees recorded in the Gospels. And I find this deeply encouraging because as I read and studied and thought about this passage this week, I’ve begun seeing some of the older brother in me.
See you Sunday.
Steve+
Fifth Sunday Potluck this Sunday!
This Sunday, being the fifth in March, we will gather after worship to share a meal in our “traditional” 5th Sunday Potluck. These are important events in the life of our church as relationships are strengthened and community is built. Plus, they’re just fun and delicious. We ask that everyone bring a main dish and either a side dish or dessert. But if you can’t, just bring one of the three. And if you can’t, come anyway. Bottled water, coffee and tea, and table service will be provided.
Blessing Our Neighbors
We have an opportunity to partner with some local Evangelical Presbyterian churches who organize a “Clothing Giveaway” or “Free Flea” event each spring and fall. They receive and sort gently used clothing, household goods (linens, tableware, and kitchen items), toys and books on a Friday evening, then host a Saturday event for the community that’s like a rummage sale – except that everything is free! The “shoppers” also receive Bibles, Christian literature and an invitation to church activities. Donations of Bibles are particularly welcome, but not furniture, electronics, children’s car seats or romance novels.
Please bring your gently used and clean items to the Rectory after worship this Sunday or Sunday, April 6. We will deliver them the following Friday, April 11.
OTHER NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Bishop Julian Episcopal Visit—Palm Sunday, April 13, 10AM. We will host a brief presentation and Q&A with the Bishop following Second Sunday Sandwiches that day.
Holy Week:
Maundy Thursday Service—April 17, 7PM
Good Friday Service—April 18, 7PM
Holy Saturday Service—April 19, noon
Easter Sunday Service—April 20, 10AM
Redeemer Vestry—Sunday, April 6, following worship.
Second Sunday Sandwiches—Sunday, April 13 following worship.
Morning Prayer—Tuesday-Friday mornings, 8AM on Zoom.
Evening Prayer—Wednesdays, 7PM @ 1309
Women’s Bible Study—Saturdays, 9AM @ 1309
Men’s Bible Study—Thursdays, 7AM @ 1309
Artwork: Kirby Kendrick (posting permission/kirbykendrick.com)
