Meditations on Lent - #17
The Gospel reading for today as suggested by the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur in their daily meditations for Lent is Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The theme in this Gospel lesson is the same one to which our attention has been drawn time and again in this Lenten season; the value of the lost sheep; the value of the prodigal son. Can anyone seriously suggest to Jesus, “Alright, enough of his lesson. Let’s be realistic. I cannot have a thief or a murderer staying in my home. I have to think of the safely of my family.”
Dr. Jessica Wrobleski, professor at Wheeling University, tackles this issue in her book The Limits of Hospitality. There are times when one has to focus on the health of oneself and family. I have known good individuals who gave away all their jelly beans and were not able to take care of themselves, much less their family. We have probably all known the social worker, physician or clergy person who always had time for the stranger but has no time for anyone in the family. We have all heard the stories from the family of the carpenter, plumber or electrician who never had or made time to make important repairs to the home they shared with their family. We all know the person - perhaps us at times – who is good at relationships as long as one is in charge or have all the power in a relationship.
Jesus reminds us that there comes a time when one needs to leave one’s parents and siblings. There are also times when one needs to leave one’s family for extended periods of time to perform an important job for the larger community. Yet there is also a time when one needs to say no to the larger community, to that patient, the person who needs spiritual guidance, or to the larger community. Certainly, we all need to gather to find the lost sheep or the make a celebration dinner for the prodigal child who comes home. Yet, what if the prodigal child is still an active addict? What if the prodigal child is acutely mentally ill and cannot allow themselves to get help? What if one is physically sick all the time from not taking care of oneself?
We may notice that the father calls his servants to prepare the feast. The father is the one who rushes out to welcome his son home with an embrace and a kiss but it is the servants – the we – who prepare the feast.
Sometimes we take these lessons so literally that we think we have to do it all ourselves. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves and those in need to use the “we” of the community. One may need to guide the person to the “we”. At times, it is important to give a person a ride to other members of the “we. Sometimes one may need to make a phone call to check on available resources. There are times, however, when one has to let go of the belief one has to do it all oneself.
There are limits to how much one can give. There are no limits to how much love one can extend to the lost sheep or the prodigal son/daughter. My prayer is that I always strive to set limits because I am realistic about my ability and not because I am judging the lost sheep or the prodigal son/daughter. I want to always know that I could be the lost sheep. I could be the prodigal son. The God of my understanding never refuses me Grace. The God of my understanding may say, “No, I am not going to make that glass of water float to you. No, I am not going to make that employer look for you. No, I am not going to force you to spend time with me.” The God of my understanding says, “Here I am. When or if you are ready I am here to walk with you, but not to walk for you.”
Written March 23, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
The Gospel reading for today as suggested by the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur in their daily meditations for Lent is Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The theme in this Gospel lesson is the same one to which our attention has been drawn time and again in this Lenten season; the value of the lost sheep; the value of the prodigal son. Can anyone seriously suggest to Jesus, “Alright, enough of his lesson. Let’s be realistic. I cannot have a thief or a murderer staying in my home. I have to think of the safely of my family.”
Dr. Jessica Wrobleski, professor at Wheeling University, tackles this issue in her book The Limits of Hospitality. There are times when one has to focus on the health of oneself and family. I have known good individuals who gave away all their jelly beans and were not able to take care of themselves, much less their family. We have probably all known the social worker, physician or clergy person who always had time for the stranger but has no time for anyone in the family. We have all heard the stories from the family of the carpenter, plumber or electrician who never had or made time to make important repairs to the home they shared with their family. We all know the person - perhaps us at times – who is good at relationships as long as one is in charge or have all the power in a relationship.
Jesus reminds us that there comes a time when one needs to leave one’s parents and siblings. There are also times when one needs to leave one’s family for extended periods of time to perform an important job for the larger community. Yet there is also a time when one needs to say no to the larger community, to that patient, the person who needs spiritual guidance, or to the larger community. Certainly, we all need to gather to find the lost sheep or the make a celebration dinner for the prodigal child who comes home. Yet, what if the prodigal child is still an active addict? What if the prodigal child is acutely mentally ill and cannot allow themselves to get help? What if one is physically sick all the time from not taking care of oneself?
We may notice that the father calls his servants to prepare the feast. The father is the one who rushes out to welcome his son home with an embrace and a kiss but it is the servants – the we – who prepare the feast.
Sometimes we take these lessons so literally that we think we have to do it all ourselves. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves and those in need to use the “we” of the community. One may need to guide the person to the “we”. At times, it is important to give a person a ride to other members of the “we. Sometimes one may need to make a phone call to check on available resources. There are times, however, when one has to let go of the belief one has to do it all oneself.
There are limits to how much one can give. There are no limits to how much love one can extend to the lost sheep or the prodigal son/daughter. My prayer is that I always strive to set limits because I am realistic about my ability and not because I am judging the lost sheep or the prodigal son/daughter. I want to always know that I could be the lost sheep. I could be the prodigal son. The God of my understanding never refuses me Grace. The God of my understanding may say, “No, I am not going to make that glass of water float to you. No, I am not going to make that employer look for you. No, I am not going to force you to spend time with me.” The God of my understanding says, “Here I am. When or if you are ready I am here to walk with you, but not to walk for you.”
Written March 23, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
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