The Lost Family by Any Other Name


You can hear how these notes became a sermon by listening here

Gate Pa – Year C  4th Sunday in Lent,
Readings:
Psalm                          Psalm: 32
First Reading:                         Joshua 5:9-12                                     
Second Reading:                    2 Corinthians 5:16-21                        
Gospel:                                    Luke 15:1-3, 11-32   

What I want to say:
To have a conversation about how the names we apply to stories like “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” both help us understand it and blind us to what is happening in the story
What I want to happen:
No matter what title/s we apply to this story, how do we finish it in our lives?

The Sermon

      1.     Introduction:

In Bible the gospel reading just heard has a number of headings
here are some
·        The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
·        The Parable of the Lost Son
·        The Lost (Prodigal) Son and the Dutiful Son
·        The Parable of the Lost Sons
·        The Parable of the Two Sons
·        also seen The Parable of the Loving Father
what title would you give this story
how help you understand it and how help
discuss with neighbour
plenary

     2.     Looking at Names – youngest son

titles shape how we read this
number about younger son
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Parable of the Lost Son
"The Undesirable Son,"
-         lost son reminds us of two stories preceed this one
-         not stand alone
-         come back to that
treat story as stand alone
focusses our attention on youngest son and his actions
other members of family almost bit payers
è repentance and forgiveness
è miss that in this story forgiveness and then repentance
è we need to be like younger son
è appears in one liturgies

     3.     Looking at Names – both sons

Other titles include other brother
·        The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
·        The Lost (Prodigal) Son and the Dutiful Son
·        The Parable of the Two Sons
·        The Parable of the Lost Sons
original hearers – older brother is equally lost
fails in his obligations as older son
to the very end
seeing himself as a slave to father rather than son

      4.     Looking at Names – Father

The Parable of the Loving Father
A Story of a Man with Two Sons
-         echoes of other well-known stories
-         Like?
A Prodigal Son, An Undignified Dad,"
"The Parable of the Dysfunctional Family,"
this has bigger ramifications than just this family
-         shocking and dangerous for whole community
-         father both fails in his obligations
-         behaves in outrageous way

      5.     Looking at Names – other names

Grumpy Pharisees and Welcoming Sinners
-          places story back into context of original issue
-         Pharisees are protectors of community
-         Jesus is challenging that with his actions
Prodigal Love
"Prodigal Grace,"
"Welcome Home!"
"Grumbling about Love,"
"God is a Loony Dad (or Mom),"
Prodigal Jesus

      6.     Looking at Names – final names

what response is invited
"Celebrate and Rejoice,"
-         what do we celebrate and rejoice at?
A Man Had Two Sons…How Will the Story End?
-         not told what older son does in response to father
-         not told what Pharisees do
o   in long term part plot to kill him because of these accusations
No matter what title/s we apply to this story, how do we finish it in our lives?

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