It is a dog eat dog world out there. Our world is filled with competition, strife, attacks, misinformation and the list goes on. We live in a world, where small children are looking how to fit in, no matter how broken the ‘fit’ is. We live in a world, where we don’t trust each other and have secrets. We live in a world where people are on polar opposites sides unable to have conversations around a dinner table. We live in a world, where we say we don’t like violence but glorify it. We live in a world where …well, it’s just crazy!
And into all that craziness, we are called to have compassion, forgive, give another chance. I am not always willing to do that. I want to hold on to my hurts, want to hold on to the grudges. I want to justify my anger.
This morning I read the story of the ‘prodigal son’ - I am sure most of of us have heard about it. A dad had two sons, the older one would have inherited the farm and the younger one would have given a certain portion. In uncommon fashion, the younger son goes to dad and wants his inheritance NOW. Father gives it to him and the son just makes a mess, using up his money, working low labor jobs and feeling miserable. He thinks if ’I go back to my father, maybe he will hire me as a laborer and have food to eat.’He goes back, ready for a “mea culpa” but dad comes running out to him, embraces him and let’s him start over as his son. It says “a great compassion swelled up in him’. Dad saw the struggles of his son and did not hold it against him.
Oh how I wish I would be more like that, how I want to release forgiveness on the person who has harmed me, be compassionate with the jerk, show kindness towards all. I want to be gentle and humble and unoffendable. As I go into this week, I want to recognize that we all are fighting a struggle nobody else knows about and I want to help with the healing process.
Easter is all about that, isn’t it? Unconditional love, undeserved forgiveness, overwhelming grace, opportunities for new beginnings. Happy Easter! Now let’s walk into this!