We focus on The Parable of the Lost Son again, but this time we are concentrating on the experience of the first son as he is returning to the father. Here he finds and receives complete love, acceptance and joy at his return. There are no strings attached. This is Justifying Grace, or "saving grace" as it is sometimes called.
We are asked to reflect on a moment when we have received God's justifying grace. One time that stands out for me was when I joined this parish in Lent of 2006. During this time, I felt God's grace channeled through the complete acceptance of me by people in the parish. Two particular experiences come to mind.
The first was the very first time I set foot in the New Church for worship. As I'm sure all of you experienced, there was this older gentleman, Chip, who was always at that door, and who always made you feel welcome. You couldn't possibly feel unwelcome with him there. God's love and acceptance just radiated through him to everyone who passed through those doors.
The second was the first time I stuck my neck out and did something in the parish other than worship. Dean talked me into having a bagel with the Men's group after the Holy Saturday morning worship, and after getting coffee and a bagel, I sat down next to Dean. Across from me at the table was John, this older guy who just looked at me and said "now that you're a part of us, tell us who you are". That was powerful... even before he knew anything about me (maybe not even my name at that moment), he was telling me I was accepted in a way that radiated God's grace as well.
In our booklets, we are asked to reach out and reconnect with someone whom we are cut off from. I've had many experiences with that lately as I have become more active in Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/george.a.reiner?ref=profile) and have been able through that medium to reconnect with friends of the faith from High School, College, and all the past locations where I've lived. It has been a wonderful tool for reconnecting with the greater body of Christ - our companions on this journey... both past and present.
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