Thoughts on the readings for March 23rd (Numbers 4, Proverbs , Luke 15)

Luke 15 records the three parables of the lost – sheep, coin and son. “All we like sheep have gone astray” (Isaiah 53) but hopefully we have been recovered by our chief Shepherd 1 Peter 5. However, how poor it was that the coin was lost in the house of believers. Was it lost because of an oversight, or, even worse, because of a lack of care due to the preoccupation of those self interested occupants of the ecclesial house? God only knows! But like in the parable of the lost sheep there is great joy in heaven and on earth in the recovery of the coin. Finally we are told the parable of the Prodigal (or wasteful) son. The wasteful son through hardship brought on by his own lack of understanding of the great benefits that come to all who are blessed to be in our Father’s house; as well as the Prodigal son’s own greed. In his hardship that son has time to reflect on the love of the father (Father) and to find opportunity to return to the household. The father was anxiously waiting for any news of his son’s return and runs to meet his lost son and receives him with great feasting and rejoicing. The elder son symbolises the self righteous Pharisees who could feel no joy when those who they contemptuously call sinners joyfully embrace the father’s graciousness. Let us read aloud verses 31 and 32. Then pause, ponder and make sure we love our gracious Father and rejoice when His children return to the fold.