Dearly Beloved Franciscans,
Sunday’s Gospel reading is the story known to us as “The Prodigal Son”. The brief meaning of “prodigal” is “wasteful, extravagant”.
In this parable, the chosen lifestyle of the youngest son is dangerously wasteful & extravagant to the point of possible death. This speaks of so much loss. Initially, it looks like the father has also lost a great deal: his youngest son, half of his wealth, and the respect of the community. BUT, in fact, by way of contrast, we encounter the father’s prodigious love which is life-giving, life-enhancing, and all-embracing. Because of this, the restoration of the youngest son and the ongoing ability to celebrate what’s good and blessed about life is enabled!
Would that we could be likewise: be prodigious in our love! It is increasingly possible to be so when our roots become progressively intertwined with God’s, so that we too can feast on the restorative and nourishing prodigious love of God’s!
Let the Eucharist become a love-feast for you as we gather on Sunday for our Service at 8.30am both in person and online. Herewith the link for the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/K4TpY-NuyGA?si=JxE2Mk1KiFLdyaMK
Love, Michelle
