Lord, thank you for this new day and a new opportunity to celebrate the indwelling of your Holy Spirit and the power to live as you direct. Amen
Luke 15:17-24 (NIV)
17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.
Charlie Mackesy is a British artist who was searching for the meaning of life when a friend brought him to Holy Trinity Brompton, the church in central London from which the Alpha Course grew. Though he was initially put off by everything in the service, Charlie decided to give Alpha a try. During the course Charlie became a Christ follower and experienced the love of God the father in a very profound way.
He was particularly moved by the parable of the prodigal son, which is our passage for today. Many times since giving his life to Jesus, Charlie has sketched, painted and sculpted the image of the Father hugging his son. He believes that the image of the father’s embrace, communicates the very essence of God’s love and grace in each of our lives. You can see one of his sculptures of the prodigal at this link. http://charliemackesy.com/sculptures/marlborough-bronze.jpg.php
Several years ago, Charlie gave one of his bronze renditions of the prodigal to Holy Trinity Brompton where it stands on the altar as a visual reminder of how much God our Father accepts and loves us. Every time I see Charlie’s depiction of the prodigal, I am moved to tears because I realize that I am the one in the Father’s embrace.
Lord, thank you for being my Father and for showing me the greatness of your love and forgiveness today and each day of my life. Amen
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