HEADED HOME

The wonderful story in Luke’s gospel of the son who took off to explore the world is a great story of love, acceptance and forgiveness. The story is not so much about the son as it is the father who so loves, misses and welcomes his son back home. After making excuses to himself and a self-justifying pep talk, the son heads home to face the consequences of his mistakes and bad decisions. Instead of having to give his lame speeches… he is met by a father running on the road to love and accept him back home. That is the Father we know, love and serve…any other is a phony and fake god… a fake father. We all want to go home… and the Father is just waiting to throw a big party.

“Dear Lord, I will remain restless, tense, and dissatisfied until I can be totally at peace in your house. There is no certainty that my life will be any easier in the years ahead, or that my heart will be any calmer. But there is the certainty that you are waiting for me and will welcome me home when I have persevered in my long journey to your house.” Henri J.M. Nouwen.

If you need to head on home…get going pilgrim, the Father is waiting to throw you a big welcome home party. He loves, accepts and forgives you… believe it.

“But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. And they began to be merry”. Jesus