1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming
near to listen to [Jesus]. 2And
the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow
welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3So he told them this parable: 11b"There was a man who had
two sons. 12The 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. 13A 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. 14When
he had spent everything, a severe famine took place throughout that country,
and he began to be in need. 15So
he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent
him to his fields to feed the pigs. 16He
would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were eating; and
no one gave him anything. 17But
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! 18I will get up and go to my
father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and
before you; 19I am no longer
worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands."
' 20So 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. 21Then the son said to him,
'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to
be called your son.' 22But
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. 23And get the fatted calf and kill
it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24for
this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!' And
they began to celebrate.25Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27He replied, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.' 28Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead with him. 29But 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. 30But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!' 31Then the father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32But 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.'"
REFLECTION | God Prepares a Feast for Us
It is hunger (and poverty) that motivates the younger son to return home after he has squandered the inheritance that he received from his still-very-much-alive father. Even the pods he is feeding the boss's pigs are starting to look appetizing. The son recalls how the father provided for his hired hands: "Even they have bread enough, and to spare!"
When his lost
son returns home, the father provides more than bread. "Get the fatted calf," he
proclaims. "Let us eat and
celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and now
is found!"
This story of the prodigal son and his merciful father is actually the third parable in Luke 15. In each of the three, Jesus teaches about God's grace. In the first parable, God is the shepherd seeks out the lost sheep. God rejoices in heaven over one sinner who repents. In the second, God is the woman who lights a lamp, sweeps the house, searches carefully until she finds a lost coin. God rejoices with the angels over one sinner who repents. And in the third, God is the father who waits and watches and runs to his wayward son, rejoicing when he returns, giving a feast in celebration for the child who returns home.
In Holy Communion, God's wayward sons and daughters are invited to a celebration of God's forgiveness. We gather at the table to share a feast even more precious than the fatted calf--the bread and the wine, the body and blood of God's Son. In communion, God the Father brings his family together. God reconciles and restores the broken relationship between God and his children.
So, come,
eat your fill! Satisfy your hunger. Let us eat
and celebrate, for in Christ, we who were dead and are alive again. We who were
lost are now found!
RECIPE |Flax Soda Bread
This
recipe from Better Homes and Gardens, which can be prepared rather quickly, is
perfect for an impromptu feast.
Ingredients
1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
2 eggs, lightly beaten
3/4 cup buttermilk or sour milk*
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup flax seeds
1 egg, lightly beaten
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet; set aside. In a large bowl stir together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, ground flax seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture; set aside.
In a small bowl stir together the 2 eggs, the buttermilk, and honey. Add egg mixture to flour mixture all at once. Using a fork, stir just until moistened. Stir in flax seeds. (Dough will be sticky.)
Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface. With well-floured hands, knead dough by folding and gently pressing it for 10 to 12 strokes or until dough is nearly smooth. On the prepared baking sheet pat the dough into a 7-inch oval loaf. With a sharp knife cut a 4-inch cross, 1/4 inch deep, on the top of the loaf. Lightly brush with the remaining egg.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove bread from baking sheet; serve warm.
* To make sour milk, place 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice or vinegar in a glass measuring cup. Add enough milk to make 1/2 cup liquid. Let mixture stand for a few minutes before using.
Flax Soda Bread
