Luke 15:1-32

"We had to celebrate and be happy, because your brother (my son) was dead, but now is alive; he was lost, but now he has been found", said the father to his disgruntled older son, who was extremely angry and upset because the father welcomed back into the family the one we call the prodigal son.

That scene has been played out and replayed in millions of families throughout history.

The loving parent (father, mother or both) anxiously waiting, hoping, praying for the safe return of their 'lost' child.

We read the story of the prodigal son from Luke's gospel after our lunch; however, earlier in the morning while 'sweating' at the YMCA, I heard a modern version of the prodigal son, but it referred to a prodigal daughter.

I wish I had paid closer attention to the details, but here's the gist of the story.

In western Canada, a television station sponsored and taped an experiment, where a mentor attempted to help homeless people find accommodation and maybe a new life.

Eighteen-year-old Chad (not real names) and his sixteen-year-old girlfriend Andrea left their homes in a small island community and headed for life in a big urban centre.

Unable to find work or a place to live, they slept in alleyways and doorways for three months. Chad resorted to drugs and Andrea was ill and too scared to sleep.

Along came Susan, a volunteer, who agreed to be the mentor to help this young couple find a better life.

She gained their trust and helped them find a direction away from the street.

She mentored them for several months.

The interviewer asked how it turned out for the two young people.

Susan said both are back in school and seem to be doing well.

Andrea, she said, is back living with her mother.

I wonder if Andrea's mother saw her from afar off and went to welcome her with hugs, kisses, words of welcome and a celebration.

Did she say, like the father of the prodigal son in the Gospel story, 'My daughter was dead, but now she is alive; she was lost, but now she has been found'.

I reckon she did.

I bet in her own way, they celebrated.

Question: What would you do in a similar situation?




Monday's reading: Luke 16:1-31

(Today's post submitted by Rev. Hollis Hiscock.)