God's Prodigious love

I'm not preaching this Sunday but am very aware of the lectionary text. It's not really about the son at all.... it's about the reckless love of the father.

I offer the following reflection, written a few years ago now. It is available in 'The Weaver, The Word and Wisdom' which can be ordered through twelvebaskets.co.uk !

In Love’s Embrace

A reflection on Rembrandt’s painting ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son’

I feel the weary weight of your arms as you embrace me

and the weary wait of your years of grief and loss.

You who were father and mother to me have no reason now

to offer open-handed welcome when I have deeply wounded you.

I can only bring a wasted, hollow shell of who I was, a shadow

of your hopes and dreams, your child who followed an empty vision.

Yet your welcome is overwhelming far beyond my dark imagining.

Your passion and generosity flow in tears and gifts, too real.

There is jealousy here, a quiet cynicism and a surly envy.

those who doubt me know me well and question the wisdom of welcome.

I too doubt myself, can I live this life? But, here in love’s embrace,

is the seed of grace, the heart of hope and the beginning of a new journey.