Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 7,2026

Date: Saturday of the 2^nd week of Lent

Scripture Text:   Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them Jesus addressed this parable. "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So, he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."'

So, he got up and went back to his father. 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. His son said to him, '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. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' Then the celebration began.

Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

He became angry,and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel presents us with Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son that is so rich in messages for us. Jesus points out to us the human tendency at times to waste the gifts of our LORD but surprises us with the LORD’s unconditional love and merciful forgiveness. In Jesus’ parable we might also recognize ourselves in the elder, self-righteous son. And we find in the father’s love the gift we all long for.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Have I frittered away the gifts of the LORD in the past? Can I recall my reconciliation with the LORD?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your love for us, your created children, amaze us when we are honest because we recognize we have not earned it and yet even before we accomplished a single thing in our lives, You loved us. Through your Word expressed in scripture, through the prophets, and most fully through the teachings and life of your only-begotten Son, we come to You in all humility like the prodigal son, begging for your mercy and forgiveness. Send your Spirit to strengthen our resolve to live humbly and lovingly, recognizing our dependence on You and our need for You and your love. Grant that we may choose to follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son, “the way and the truth and the life,” and return to You with our whole heart. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.