Worship - 30 March 2025

Summary of this week's theme - the prodigal father

Parenting is often a journey of both joy and grief, as each stage of our child’s life passes quickly. Jesus’ parents would have understood this deeply, especially witnessing his suffering. The ‘tears of the virgin,’ little white flowers in Menorca that bloom during Lent and disappear after Easter, symbolise the sorrow of Christ’s journey to the cross - tears for his pain, for lost dignity, for love seemingly extinguished.

Mothering Sunday is a time to remember the pain that parents endure, whether through personal loss, or the suffering of children in a world marred by conflict. Even God, the ultimate parent, shares in our sorrow.  The parable of the prodigal son illustrates God’s boundless, prodigal love - a love that embraces both departure and return.

The father in the parable watches and waits for his lost son, just as God patiently waits for us. He restores his son, reflecting God’s unconditional love and generosity. He celebrates joyfully, showing that God delights in our return. And he tenderly reaches out to the resentful brother, demonstrating God’s desire for reconciliation. This is a God who not only forgives but radically accepts us, even in our mistakes.

Henri Nouwen, inspired by Rembrandt’s painting The Return of the Prodigal Son, saw himself in each character - and challenges us to do so.  Like the younger son, we may need to kneel and accept God’s embrace. Like the older brother, we may struggle with fairness and grace. And like the father, we are called to extend love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians reinforces this truth: God actively seeks us, offering a relationship of love and renewal. If Paul had written a sequel to the parable, perhaps the brothers would have reconciled and reached out to others in need of their father’s love.

On this Mothering Sunday, we reflect on the steadfast, ever-present love of God - a love that is sometimes mirrored, however imperfectly, in human relationships, especially families. In the end, the parable reminds us that we are always accepted and cherished by our divine parent. No matter how far we stray, God eagerly welcomes us home with open arms, rejoicing at our return.