Read Luke 15:11-20
Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father.
When we talk about this story, we often imagine ourselves as the prodigal child running back to the loving arms of Jesus. Indeed, this is a moving and accurate picture of salvation.
Today, though, put yourself in the position of the father. His son has disrespected him, misused his hard-earned money, and likely brought shame on the entire family. If you have children, you have likely felt the pain of being rejected or of hearing harsh words from a child you love. What is your response in those moments, in your heart? I like to think that I would immediately forgive everything a child of mine does, but deep down I know that my first emotions when my children disobey, disrespect, or embarrass me are far from loving.
I am nothing like the parent in this story, but the story gives me a picture of the kind of parent I want to be. This story is a parable about God’s relationship with us (the prodigal children), but it is also a reminder that the habit of compassion starts at home. Whether you live alone, with roommates, with a spouse, or with a family, compassion is not just about how we treat our neighbors. It’s also about how we treat the people closest to us – the people who we make the most messes with, need the most forgiveness from, and sometimes have the hardest time loving. Today, in whatever your living situation is, take some time to reflect on whether or not compassion is defining your relationships at home.
Prayer – Lord, in the story of the prodigal son, you paint us a picture of the type of person you want us to be. Endlessly loving, forgiving, and compassionate. I am often not those things, Lord, but you promise to transform me, and I ask you today to come and begin that work in my heart. Soften me to be able to extend compassion to those who are closest to me.
