Prodigal father
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Second Week of Lent
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/030213.cfm
Psalm 103:1
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
And these sweet, rounded beckoning words are just the top of the pie. All the readings today are rich with blessing and the prodigality of God. A few synonyms for prodigal: lavishly abundant, profusely extravagant, hugely generous.
Taste and see the goodness of the words today:
“Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt but delights rather in clemency.”
“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
“The Lord pardons all your iniquities, he heals all your ills. He redeems your life from destruction, he crowns you with kindness and compassion.”
“As the heavens are high above the earth, so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.”
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he put our transgressions from us.”
“While his son was still a long way off his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
His father said, “Let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again. He was lost and has been found.” Then the celebration began.
One of my favorite Vineyard teacher/authors, Bill Jackson, says of God’s insistent love for all he creates, “Nothin, nothin, nothin’s gonna stop it!” We are surrounded by clouds of witnesses to God’s endless love.
The Greek word “Christ” means “anointed.” In the Christ mystery, matter and spirit co-exist. Jesus became that unity. But the footprint of God is on everything. Matter and spirit are entwined with each other in all of creation.
In the prayer titled “St. Patrick’s Breastplate,” Patrick sings in his fifth century Irish brogue, “Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me, Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me, Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me.”
Blessed coming in and blessed going out are we, O Lord. Your grace rises up to meet us, and we are loved.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1154
