God of compassion, you welcome the wayward, and you embrace us all with your mercy. By our baptism clothes us with garments of your grace, and feed us at the table of your love through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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HOLY GOSPEL LUKE 15:1-3, 11B-32
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to  hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying "This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this parable: And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me'. And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into the fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough to spare, but I perish here with hunger!' I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants." And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to his, 'Father I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Lo these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, 'Son you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost and is found."
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MUSINGS
Today I begin this Lenten Journey of preparing the Midweek Musings for March 2016. Devotional writing is an unfamiliar trip for me and I hope my gentle readers will be patient with my reflections as we approach Easter Sunday.
 The Parable of the Prodigal Son speaks to me very persuasively. It is a familiar and comforting passage about God's redemptive grace, mercy, unconditional love and forgiveness. In this parable of Jesus, the father of the prodigal son rushed to greet him as he returned home, and immediately began to provide food and clothing. The homecoming celebration began by directly addressing his urgent needs. The prodigal could not return to a garden of Eden but he was welcomed and reinstated as a son. This wayward son's radical transformation from grief and guilt to forgiveness and restoration expresses the resurrection from the dead and a rebirth to a new life from spiritual death. The father who had been abused was forgiving. But, the older brother, who had not been wronged was full of pride and contempt. His resentment caused his isolation and separation from the community of forgiven sinners. This parable gives a clear picture of God and what God is like. He meets the needs of all who return home with repentant hearts. God forgives sin and offers the gift of the Holy Spirit to grant courage and peace. God is truly kind and rejoices in finding the lost and leading them home. May we trust this good news and actively support others when they return home to build a life free from sin.
Haven't we all been "prodigal sons or daughters" at some point in our lives? Whether we have felt uncomfortable with an unfortunate situation with a parent, spouse, child or other associate, we have all transgressed and abused our trust and relationships. Perhaps these incidents have been character building, especially when we were younger. Remember our relief and joy when the compassionate injured party granted us unconditional forgiveness and acceptance. This experience is similar to the scriptural prodigal who returns with nothing to offer yet his father receives him with joy and thanksgiving. The son was in desperate need with feelings of remorse and unworthiness. His father grants him grace and mercy. He tells the older son "this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."
Lord, may I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you are merciful.
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