Posted on 08/17/2006 6:10:22 PM PDT by sionnsar
From the Rev. Benjamin Bernier of Providence REC in Texas, we have the sermon The Elder Brother's Choice, which is a look at that familiar Parable of the Prodigal Son. This parable truly seems to touch all of us, and Fr. Bernier's exposition helps show why. Indeed, we all have been, at some time or another, in the place of the elder brother, and thus the parable speaks truth to all of us:
The Pharisees, the elder brother, and even the younger son all agreed in one thing. A repentant sinner has no reason to consider himself worthy of anything but becoming a slave in the father's house. A repentant sinner is worthless. But God sees the same reality in another light. He sees repentant sinners as precious, invaluable. He love sinners. He sees the lost sheep and precious coin, found. He sees the dead son returning to life. He rejoices for one sinner who repents more than for 99 who need no repentance.May we learn to rejoice as our Father does when one of our brothers returns to Him in repentance. If all of heaven rejoices, why shouldn't we?
Every body else saw the situation in the same light. If that light was all there is there would be no hope for us. Because we are all sinners. If repentant sinners are worthless in God's eyes, then we are worthless in God's eyes. But the father has better Eyes. Eyes of Love, mercy and compassion. The light of the Gospel forgiveness and reconciliation, assures us that mercy triumphs over judgment, forgiveness over sin and life triumphs over death.
This is good news for us. God sees us as the Father of this story saw the returning son. Likewise, we must learn to look at repentant sinners in the same way Jesus did. Because with the measure that we measure others we will be measured.
If we do not look at others' failures with compassion, we will not be looked at with compassion. If we have no mercy, we will receive no mercy.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
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