It Was Fitting (Luke 15:32)

 


Tuesday, March 25, 2025


Psalms 62; 63

Genesis 47:13-31

Luke 15:11-32


Observance: The Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary


It Was Fitting (Luke 15:32)


Usually when Jesus gives us a parable it is easy to find the one lesson and dwell on that. However, every now and then he will give us one like today’s Parable of the Prodigal Son, leaving us with a feast of lessons.


I’m sure most of us have heard multiple sermons and read multiple reflections on this parable. As Solomon famously said, “there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9), so instead of treading over common ground, let’s instead take advantage of the fact that we are reading this in context: specifically, the context of yesterday’s learning about God and wealth.


Insofar that today’s parable might be the hinge between yesterday’s parables and tomorrow’s, we might benefit from looking at where wealth appears in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The younger son sees his wealth in what he can squander in reckless living; it is finite, and he runs out of it. The older son sees his wealth in what he has earned; in spite of the fact that the wealth has already been divided between himself and his brother, he still complains that he has not even gotten a young goat from his father. His wealth lies in what he can hoard.


The father seems to have a different concept of wealth from his two sons. He happily hands out his inheritance to his sons when asked. He happily puts on a feast when the younger son returns home. He happily brings out the jewellery and fine clothes. Unlike the younger son, his wealth is endless. And unlike the older son, he does not hoard his wealth, but gives it out freely and generously: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” (v. 31)


Yet for all the wealth of the father, he only uses it in the context of his boys. The last line of the parable, and our verse for today, sums it up: “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found”.


We are God’s wealth, and in this context, he spends his riches on celebrating with us. He is not miserly or a hoarder, and he never runs out. It is God’s nature to celebrate and be glad when we are with him: it is fitting so to do.


Why do you work for money? How do you spend it? Now that you are saved by the blood of Jesus and a jewel of Christ, what does God want to do with you?


Father God, who did not leave us to die in our sins but sent your only beloved Son to die in our place: we are no longer worthy to be called your children, yet you do not treat us like hired servants, instead bringing us into the feast of your glad celebration. Spend us generously, so that we may be profitable to all those we come across, for your generosity is as unending as your love.

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