Sermon -- 4th Sunday in Lent -- Our Prodigal God

Readings: Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 The fourth Sunday in Lent offers us a little reprieve from the constant refrain of "Repent!" heard throughout the rest of Lent.  We hear today the misnamed parable of the Prodigal Son.  Others have tried to rename this parable the parable of the loving father, since it is primarily a parable about the father, not either of the sons.  I argue that the son's sinful prodigal (that is, foolishly extravagant) activities are answered by a welcome that is equally as prodigal, but rooted in evangelical compassion.  This is the parable of the Prodigal God.