We look at The Parable of the Lost Son again, but this time we consider the father. How did he express his love for both sons? Our booklets ask us to list the ways. (I won't list them here because I want you to do your own work, but I've always wondered if giving 1/2 of his wealth was really expressing love - or not?)
We learn about the Means of Grace, outward ways in which we can experience God's love and Grace. In my Lutheran background, there were only three Means of Grace - The Bible, Baptism, and Holy Communion. Our Episcopal church lists a few more and our curriculum acknowledges that God's grace can be revealed to us in many ways.
Considering the father's love and both sons' reaction, we are asked to pray about areas of our lives where we have blocked God's love. We all have these areas - places where we are either embarrassed by our own actions, or embarrassed by God - where we don't want God snooping around. I know I have them as well. By praying about these areas, we can open them up to receiving God's grace in the manner that best helps us. For example, if we are embarrassed to share God with others at work or at school, perhaps God will show us that many of our friends share our beliefs and that will allow us to talk about God more, and we won't have to hide him.
Finally, it turns out that we can be a means of God's grace to others - especially by sharing with them. We are encouraged to act by taking along some small religious trinket (a small cross, etc.) that we can share with someone.
Take it along today... maybe God will lead you to share it.
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