Session 5
Today, ask to receive mercy… Come to Jesus just as you are… Ask for the brokenness of your heart to be repaired with golden threads of grace… Listen to this story of forgiveness… Let yourself desire God’s mercy…
Luke 15:20-24
So the son set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. Then the son said to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his slaves, “Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” And they began to celebrate.
Having heard the end of the story of the return of the prodigal son, linger on its details… the expression on the father’s face as he sees his son far off… the long-awaited embrace they share… the feelings of unworthiness expressed by the son… the father’s response with a shower of great affection…
Allow yourself to become present to Jesus just as you are… Stand before him with a heart that is broken in so many ways… yet a heart shot through with a radiance that is his… If it feels right then allow him to hold you in his arms, as the father held the prodigal son… or let him express his love in some other way…
Instead of rushing on to the next thing… or yearning after whatever you had before… rest in this moment… Become aware that this moment of forgiveness will last forever… You will look for the fresh signs of this mercy in your life… the wounds healed… the fractures joined… the hearts made whole… You will learn to celebrate forgiveness when you find it… Speak to Jesus about the joy you would like to feel…
You have given all to me
To you, Lord, I return it
Everything is Yours, do with it what You will
Give me only Your love and Your grace,
That is enough for me.
Amen.