Day 25 – The Lavish Love of God

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. The younger son said to the father, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.” (Luke 15:20-22)

Finally, the younger son was back home. His reward was an unexpected welcome by his father that he had never imagined. What was going on there? While the father didn’t expect to see his son again because of his son’s determination to leave and his insensitivity to his father’s heart, the father did not lose hope. Not only did the father not lose hope, but he also waited for the son’s return, every day! That caught the son by surprise! Imagine what was going on in the son’s mind and how he felt when his father greeted him with embrace and kisses, instead of reprimand and condemnation. That was totally unexpected. But despite being shocked by his father’s action, without further delay, the son quickly delivered his prepared speech and sincerely confessed to his father. Surprise again! His father didn’t allow him to finish his confession! He hurried to put on his son the finest robe, a ring and sandals that symbolized the restoration of his identity! That was before the son had the chance to tell his father to treat him as his servant. Instead of taking on the servant’s role, the son was instantly restored to his original but forgone identity. His honour was reinstated and was immediately served by his father’s servants, even though his appearance was so despicable! The dreadful odor of his body from tending the swines, his disfigured face, his wounded and bruised body, and his weariness due to the treacherous journey home did not bother his father at all. It was as if the single most important thing in the whole world was to restore the identity of this lost son! Even though this wayward son had yet to prove himself to be trustworthy, that did not trouble this lavish father a bit! Incredible!

Why didn't the father allow his son to finish his confession? Didn’t he want to hear what his son had to say? Or at least to savor the moment to be consoled by his son’s sincere apology and the opportunity for his pierced heart to be healed? Apparently, the father’s focus was not on himself but on the son. This long lost but newly found son was everything in the father’s eyes!

REFLECTION

For a moment, put yourself in the shoes of the son to feel the tender and lavish love of the father.

Below is the English translation of the lyrics of the song “The Beauty of Love” 愛的美麗

I am filthy due to my sins

Ashamed beyond words

My sins have caused me to close my heart

And feel undeserving of your mercy

But your arms have always remained open

Waiting for my return one day

And you will baptize me with your love

Telling me you love me above all things

You have transformed my ugliness to beauty

my lowliness to dignity

Reinstating my identity as a child of the Father

Giving new lives to sinners, without regarding Your pain and suffering

Through Your forgiveness and consolation

I let go of all my regrets

So that I can reunite with You with a pure heart

(I shall reunite with You with a pure heart. From this day onward, I will offer my pure heart as a Holy sacrifice to God the Father)

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Abba Father, of all the years You have adopted me into Your family, You have never ceased to amaze me with Your Divine Love! Your love for me is really beyond measure. I cannot comprehend the height and depth of Your love for me. How I wish I can fully understand Your heart. I know I will never be able to do so. I only pray that by immersing myself in the ocean of Your mercy, I will be completely soaked in Your saving love; and that I will be transformed into Your image for the world. Lord, please replace my heart of stone with a heart of flesh. May this new heart of mine be flooded with Your life-giving water that it will become fresh again! 

I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

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