Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Today’s text

Luke 15:17-22

Then he came to his senses and said, "How many of my father's hired men have all the food they want and more, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired men." So he left the place and went back to his father. 'While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him. Then his son said, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son." But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'

Reflection

No speeches. Please no speeches. I have heard enough words, and all of them are tin and clatter on the ear.

I want no apologies, no explanations, no pious confessions, no wallowing in guilt or shame. I have no desire to listen to your attempts to name your sins or work up sorrow for your offenses. Keep it far from me

To offer me such is to misunderstand … everything.

I am not moved by your words. I am not changed by your sorrow or repenting. My plans are not altered by the pain you suffer when you wander far from me by rebellion or hardness of heart.

I remain what I always am, what I always have been, what I always will be. And that is love beyond all comprehension. I am abundance of heart beyond all knowing, immensity of compassion whose end you will never know.

I do not change when you come to your senses and decide you need to come home.

I simply am. I am the seeking love that haunts your heart and tells you that you are meant for more than some kind of half life. I am the hungry heart discontent until all that I love---all whom I love---are home in me.

I am the eager energy of every real love you will ever know. I am desire of the welcoming father who longs not for words or apologies, pieties, guilt or shame. I want none of it.

I want only that my beloved should know that they are just that … beloved--and that the abundance of my heart is theirs.

So, no speeches please; no words, no apologies, no explanations. Just come and receive the welcome I offer … and always will.

That’s all I want from you.

Pr. David L. Miller