Lent is traditionally a time of self-examination as we prepare for Easter.
Today is a chance to check out our “spiritual heart health”
—to see what might be helping it and what might be hindering it.
Story I: Homecoming
1. What struck you in the scene? Were there any new or surprising insights?
2. Read Luke 15: 11-32
Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that will belong to me.’ So he divided his property between them.
A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant country, and there he squandered his property in dissolute living. When he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed the pigs. He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father's hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up 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 like one of your hired hands.” ’ So he set off and went to his father.
But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, ‘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 slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’ Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found.’ ”
3. Are there times when you’ve felt like the prodigal child in the story? Do you need to ask for forgiveness for anything in your life right now? Do you feel grateful for past forgiveness?
4. Are there times when you’ve felt like the older brother in the story? Is there anyone in your life you need to forgive?
In the parable, the father says to his older son: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” There is an implied spiritual truth here: The years of close relationship the older son enjoyed by being with the father—the freedom he had to share in all the father’s riches—these were infinitely more precious than anything his brother experienced in the far country. How did the older son miss this? Somehow his relationship with his father had eroded into one of duty and obligation rather than an experience of joyful intimacy.
5. How are you currently experiencing your relationship with God: More times of joyful intimacy or more times of dutiful rule-following?
Suggested Task: God loves you unconditionally. Spend some time allowing yourself to receive that love and rest in that love.
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