"Love and the Practice of Holiness"

A Prayer to Activate our Faith

We find Truth in Jesus.

Being found in human form,

            He emptied himself of all but love.

Like him, we seek to lift people up,

            assuming a posture of servanthood among us all.

We pray that our practice of humility

helps to break down barriers of human hostility.

 

We find Joy in Jesus.

He made room for others

            and invited all people into the sacred spaces of love.

Like him, we seek to create safe spaces for others,

            turning enemies into friends.

We pray that our practice of hospitality

            helps build bridges and tears down walls.

 

We find Peace in Jesus.

He embraced a mission of love,

            caring for all and restoring God’s world.

Like him, we seek to partner with God

            in the recovery of God’s vision of shalom.

We pray that our practice of healing

            helps to restore peace with justice everywhere.

 

We find Love in Jesus.

He demonstrated the fullest possible extent

            of the love of God and neighbor.

Like him, we seek to live a life of faith

            working by love leading to holiness.

We pray that our practice of holiness

            helps others to discover their true identity

            as the beloved children of God.

 

We embrace the holistic and all-inclusive vision

            Of God’s restoration of beloved community.  

 

Our scripture today is from Luke, chapter 15 verses 11-24 from the Common English Bible.

11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.' Then the father divided his estate between them. 13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living. 14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired hands have more than enough food, but I'm starving to death! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands." ' 

20 So he got up and went to his father. “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.' 

22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!' And they began to celebrate. 

 

Leader: This is the word of God for a people of God.

All: Thanks be to God.

 

Discussion questions:

1. With whom do you relate most closely in the story of the prodigal son? How does this story shape your vision of God?

2. How have the ideas of holiness as happiness, love of God, and love of neighbor changed your thinking?

3. What are the next steps you want to take in order to be a child of God whose life is characterized by truth, joy, peace, and love?

 

Lectio Divina

Proclaim:  Read the passage. I recommend that you actually read it out loud. It helps to actually here the Word “proclaimed”.

Picture: Read the same text again, this time picturing yourself somewhere in the narrative. With which person do you identify? Where do you find yourself in the drama that is unfolding imaginatively before your eyes?

Ponder: After a third reading of the text, ponder what these words might mean for you today. What insight have you gained about yourself, God, your neighbor? What significance do you attach to your discoveries given your recent experiences, relationships, concerns?

Practice: Following a final reading of the passage, resolve to translate your experience in the meditation into action. What is God calling you to do with this today? What action is required? What does God require of you to be an ambassador of reconciliation and love throughout the course of the day?