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March 23, 2019Micah: “Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt…and will again have compassion?”
Luke: “While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him… ‘he was lost, and has been found!’… ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours… your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’.”
What if our churches had signs, “Welcome, sinners!” That certainly would get the attention of onlookers. Perhaps some people driving by might decide to check out our congregation. Though this sign sounds striking, it might make us wary of who might respond. Perhaps that’s the way the Pharisees felt when they saw Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, the outcasts of their society. In theory, we know that the church is a refuge for sinners but are we comfortable really putting that into practice? If we are shocked or critical of such a sign, “Welcome Sinners,” recall that it is similar to a more acceptable name, “The Church of Christ, the Redeemer.” Are we forgetting that the Redeemer had a predilection for the sinners and marginalized in religious society? The first lines of today’s Gospel describe the complaints of the Pharisees who observed Jesus welcoming the sinners and outcasts of his day.
This parable in the Gospel of Luke is often said to be “The Gospel within the Gospel.” It best describes the essence of the Good News of God’s love which Jesus came to reveal and demonstrate. We who are the Church, the Body of Jesus, are reminded this day in Lent to refocus our attitude about our mission as Church. We can ask, “Am I content with a Sunday congregation where I know everyone and am comfortable knowing most people there are like me, or am I someone who catches sight of some people who are a long way off and invite them to my church?” Is there any trait of the older brother who was offended by the Father’s mercy and welcome because He accepted home a wayward son or daughter? We quickly give up sweets and alcohol for Lent. Today we can look at our attitudes towards sinners and with God’s inspiration think of ways we can give up prejudice and narrow-minded judgments. We can ask God to help us reach out and welcome someone we know who is on the fringe of our community and needs a personal invitation to be part of our church who “welcomes sinners!”
