Fourth Sunday in Lent
Readings – Joshua 5: 9-12; Psalm 32; II Corinthians 5: 16-21; Luke 15: 1-3,11b-32
As you may know, I am the eldest of five children, Bruce, Jay, Ann and Sui. I have an affinity for the eldest son in our Gospel reading of today. The usual tactic is to focus on the embracing, outstretched arms of the loving father who saw the younger son, the wayward son, returning home from afar. The best robe, a fine ring, and fine sandals, were provided, and the fatted calf was prepared for a grand celebration.
Yet, today I wish to change the focus to the other son, the eldest, who remained at home following the departure of his brother. This son had to shoulder more responsibility with his brother’s departure. There was now more work to be done, more to manage the family estate. So, the elder worked hard; he never disobeyed direction from their father. And their father, perhaps always searching the horizon for the absent son, never designed “even a young goat so that [he] might celebrate with friends”.
Reflecting a bit, the eldest “kept the home fires burning”. As the poem by John McCormack about World War One states:
They were summoned from the hill side,
they were called from the glen.
And the country found them ready
at the stirring call for me.
Let no tears add to their hardship,
as the soldiers pass along.
Keep the home fires burning.
That was what the eldest son did.
Reflecting a bit more, think of COVID times when many remained away from the tasks. Yet, the United States Post Office, the trucking industry, our medical professionals, remained on duty. On a few nights some gathered at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg at changes of shift to applaud the medical professionals as they left exhausted for their homes. There were many tears shed and some sobs broke out as the appreciation was adsorbed. They truly did keep the home fires burning in very difficult times, and the appreciation was way too little.
It seems to me that the waiting father neglected to share his appreciation for the elder son. While waiting to embrace the wayward son, whenever he returned, the eldest was overlooked, perhaps taken for granted. Still, the eldest did as Leviticus (6:12) decreed the fire on the altar must be kept burning.
In our times, I think it is much needed for us here at All Saints to “keep the home fire burning”, to keep “the fire on the altar” burning, to keep the Holy Spirit fueled up.
Everyday we need to fuel the flame of kindness, to fuel the flame of goodness, as we move through our times.
Everyday we need to see those right in front of us, as well as looking over the horizon for future returning people.
Everyday we need to enjoy our table fellowship even as we mourn the absent.
Everyday we need to extend our embrace of love, and wrap our arms around those currently near, as well as praying for the return of those far from us for whatever reason.
To the end of the story from the Gospel according to St. Luke, I hope the elder brother entered the feast for his recently returned brother, and their father extended his arms of love around them both. I hope the waiting father declared
Let us rejoice and be glad. Let us walk together in love this day and all the days to come.
Amen
