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The Passionate Jesus

Day1 host Peter Wallace's new book on the emotions of Jesus is, according to Marcus Borg, “An illuminating and powerful personal meditation." Ideal for personal or group study.

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Topic Features About Grace

The Rev. William E. Flippin, Jr.

The Day God Ran

Luke 15:1-3, 11-24

4th Sunday in Lent - Year C

March 10, 2013

The Rev. William Flippin, Jr. (ELCA)

I must admit that I have always been fascinated with the 'Parable of the Prodigal Son' and would focus on the black sheep of the family leaving home and receiving the forgiveness of the Father. My fixation on the prodigal was such that I virtually ignored the other characters of the story--especially the elder brother. In this story there has always been a strong, vibrant current in Christianity which underlies the mercy of God and God's joy at a sinner's repentance and more so in the last couple of generations has this current been emphasized. In line with this conscious emphasis, attention has turned to the actions and attitude of the father and results in the question, "Is it not true that the merciful father is the major character of the story?" Indeed, from a literary point of view, the father seems to be the one who links the other two characters of this story and holds everything together. Without the father, there is no forgiveness or banquet or joy. And without the premise of the father's expression of joy over his returned son, there would be no explanation for the reactions of the elder son and the sublime answers to him.

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Day1 TV

A Life of Joy

The Rev. Peter Wallace
You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11
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