Reader: “Not long after that. . .”
Response: “…no one gave him anything.”
Scripture: Luke 15:13-16
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.”
Reader: This is the word of the Lord.
Response: Thanks be to God.
Some thoughts:
When the “Trinity Of Self” is worshiped, it rewards the worshiper handsomely, always. Welcome to the world of “self” son! Should we be surprised that no one gave him anything? That is one of the benefits of this kind of worship, you are on your own. Look with whom he was spending his time and money. This was not a community that was known for giving or forgiving. This was the crowd of “the Trinity Of Self.” You see, in this world, it is only a pretend community. That truth became particularly evident when everything headed south. Feeding the pigs was a kind of Jewish Skid Row. He was truly in exile from his father. Look at all the people and corporations today with their hands out, people and companies who have “squandered their wealth on wild living.” Look at the people with their hands out wanting “their share of the stash.” Observe all the people “living beyond their means” expecting someone else to bail them out after all, you don’t need to make a payment now . . .or ever. Politicians make a living promising more “pods” appealing to the envious and greedy. (We speak here not of those who have genuinely fallen on hard times not of their own making.) We see the seeds of humility being planted in the son’s soil of desperation. His loneliness becomes overwhelming and spurs him to change his course. He is beginning to doubt the value of this “Trinity Of Self.” Look for people in your life today who may be in the son’s situation, and extend a hand in whatever form to bring them encouragement and hope. There is a little TOS in all of us! Perchance you may even be that person who “left home.” Go back home. Ask forgiveness. You won’t be disappointed at your Father’s response.
Music: “ “Goin’ Home” Libera The voices of angels!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvThHk-wMRk
Prayer:
Lord, I am blind and helpless, stupid and ignorant. Cause me to hear, cause me to know, teach me to do, lead me. ―Henry Martyn, 1781-1812