Ancient Anglican

At the end of each parable in Luke 15, the main character goes to their neighbors and says rejoice with me for that which was lost has been found. Think about how we, as the Church, are called to this rejoicing.

In th epainting, look at the father’s hands. The father’s left hand is masculine and grasps the son tight, whereas the right hand is feminine and rests gently on the younger son to comfort him as only a mother can.

What is the basis of the older son’s relationship with the Father? Is there any hope for the elder son?

Nouwen calls the older son’s resentful conduct the “frozen anger among the saints.” This anger develops into a “pathology of darkness” from which the older brother cannot escape.

Is repentance and reconciliation within the contemplation of the younger son? Does he anticipate any change in his relationship with the father? At this point in the story, has the younger son learned anything from his experience?  Do you agree with Fr. Nouwen that Jesus himself can be seen as the younger son?

In making his decision to return home, has anything really changed about the younger son? Is the younger son’s request simply driven by selfish desire or is he beginning to realize the true nature of his relationship with the father?

In reviewing the parable, we will look at (i) the historical context, (ii) re-tell the parable in a contemporay idiom, (iii) plumb the spiritual meaning, and (iv) place ourselves in the story.

The younger son is not merely wishing his father dead so that he can take ownership of his stuff, but to be cut off from what it means to be called a son in exchange for mere cash. 

The major themes are (i) how each of us are each of the sons, (ii) how both sons are perfected, adn (iii) how we are ultimately called to be the Father.

If we wish to encounter the Risen Lord we must Go to Galilee, for there you will find Jesus. Matt 28:7.  “Galilee” is the world beyond the protective walls of the church where our ministry takes place.  Just as the Word came down to us, so too are we to go out into the world. 

Curry speaks about how the church bringing unity in Christ out of a diversity of backgrounds, and that this call is greatest challenge of the Church today. Curry grounds our unity not in anything we do but in the very reality of the Incarnation.

What does it mean to have a church that draws, gathers, invites, and welcomes everyone with different gifts and different persuasions? 1 Cor. 12:12-31. How does the church welcome and understand those who do not look like you, act like you, vote like you, or agree with you on the issues of the day?