DAILY MEDITATION: "Becoming Fathers and Mothers" for Monday, 2 July 2018
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What are we going to do when we get home? When the two sons of the parable of the prodigal son both have returned to their father, what then? The answer is simple: they have to become fathers themselves. Sons have to become fathers; daughters have to become mothers. Being children of God involves growing up and becoming like God. Jesus doesn't hesitate to say this: "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect, be compassionate as your heavenly Father is compassionate." (See Matthew 5:48 and Luke 6:36). How? By welcoming home our lost brothers and sisters in the way our Father welcomed us home.
For further reflection...
"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your [sister's or] brother's way... Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Romans 14:13; 15:7 (NIV))
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Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
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