March 28, 2025
Dear Friends,
For this fourth Sunday of Lent I will shift back to the gospel of Luke chapter 15:11-32 where we find the familiar parable of Jesus, which has been titled in many bibles as “the Lost Son” or “the Prodigal Son”. It has always made me wonder why this particular title was chosen? We sometimes assume that it is the younger son who is the “lost son”, cashing out his inheritance and then squandering it all, coming to the realization that he would be better off as his father’s hired hand. We see the waiting father who is longing for his son to return (repent) home, and when the younger son shows up the father runs out and embraces his long lost son. Even more throws a party! But then there is also the elder brother. Is he also a “lost son”? In a great ironic twist we see how Jesus portrays this “good” son as also a lost son. The older son’s claim that the father does not lavish such love on him for all his dedicated service shows that he has failed to consider himself as a fellow heir of his father’s estate, and instead sees himself as a hired hand waiting impatiently for a wage. The father reminds him "All that is mine is yours” and even more that as his son he is an incorporated part of the family business, not an outsider hoping to earn his inheritance. Of course the purpose of this parable for Jesus was to challenge the Pharisees for their hardness of heart, when it came to Jesus’ hanging out with “sinners” and those they considered lost causes. The Pharisees in many ways fail to see who they are as inheritors of God’s “family business” of evangelism, reconciliation, and works of mercy as beloved sons, not wage-earning hired hands. Moreover, Jesus is subtly suggesting that he is the true elder brother who rejoices with the Heavenly Father at a party thrown in the honour of all the sons and daughters who realize that it by grace alone that they are forgiven, embraced and welcomed home. Who are we in this story? What does it mean to be spiritually lost…and found? So please join me as we explore this great parable in a message called “The Waiting Father”.
Our GPC Session has met and has decided that we would ask the Presbytery of Brampton to appoint an Interim Minister for 2 years. In light of my retirement (July 1st) it was prayerfully considered that an Interim Minister would be the best way forward for the congregation. The Interim Minister will give the congregation a consistent Sunday morning presence and also pastoral care. The Session will work with the Presbytery on this request for an Interim Minister and who this person might be. We will continue to pray that God will lead us through this transition as we give thanks for God’s continuing provision of good leadership.
Blessings
Pastor Ian
