4th. Sunday in Lent : Everyone is invited to celebrate with God!

In this week’s Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32  Jesus tells the parable of the Prodigal Son. This is a familiar story to most Christians. Why is it so familiar? Perhaps not only because we have heard it often- but also because we really can identify with the characters in the story. There may have been a time you resented someone who gained advantages over you whilst doing less, or a time you received an excess of blessing and squandered it without thinking. Perhaps you have been a parent watching a child break free from the restraint of your family environment and making silly choices- or been a welcoming presence when someone who has sinned realizes their mistake and asks for forgiveness. Maybe you have been all of these during your lifetime. How deeply does each person’s part in this story touch you today? Who do you most resonate with? This week let’s invite God into our heart as we listen to the Word- and ask the Holy Spirit to shed light on where we need to dwell more deeply. Step into God’s arms this week, as God welcomes you home.

The message was written and presented by Pastor Håvard Osland of the Norwegian Lutheran Church A&NZ.