What would you do - Luke 15 - Lent 4C

What would you do

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 15: 1-32, Psalm 32

Opening prayer

This weekend's lesson in Luke offers us the familiar parable of the father with two sons. Of the sons, there is one who is diligent in efforts and one who squanders. There is the parent who makes decisions about his children.

There are plenty of interpretations that discuss who each figure represents, but it is a story of different perspectives. 

Lost being found. (For in Luke 15, we have lost sheep and lost coins as well as lost children.) Maybe, we ought to consider who, in this story, needs to be found?

I would argue there is a fourth person involved here too. You will see that person is not in the story as much as they observe the story.

One child asks for their share of inheritance today. This can be an insult to ask for post-death inheritance today. We do know that this takes away from the potential of the family and community to do something with that money too.

What would you do?

We as the reader can be Monday quarterbacks, the 20-20 hindsight, or the “I would have done this differently…” We have the perspective of observing, but remember, there are many times when we are in moments and need to make decisions. 

We don’t have the luxury of time and consideration.  Even if we play the moment in our minds over and over, we may still question. 

Some of those decisions are the necessary, regardless if we like to admit it.

Some don’t have everyone winning (may upset those closest to us.)

Nevertheless, this parent divides his assets between them. We don’t know if this was exactly half to each child or if this division included some living expenses for the parent.

Nevertheless, we have stories of different paths taken.

One leaves home with money, and blows it. He squanders wealth so that he is forced to live a life of poverty and hunger. He returns home expecting to not be treated as a son but something less - perhaps “not worthy to tie sandals.”

The parent sees the child coming back. What would you do at this point?

Here, the parent celebrates the return with robes, feast and dancing.

There is the one who has been working in the fields, storing up all this wealth of good work, who apparently didn’t get an invite, didn’t get a goat for himself, but has been obedient: the dutiful one. 

This could be the person who goes to church in a suit-and-tie watching people with shorts and sandals walking in the door.

All of that work and time feels worthless. 

In many rights, the son is angry over this display and celebration.

The father tries to calm saying, “you are always with me and all that is mine is yours.” 

Probably more true than not. If we take that literally, that means this dutiful one just paid for the celebration of the squanderer’s return. 

There might be reason to be a bit disgruntled - or really angry. 

However, any parent can tell you that finding a lost child means the world in that moment. 

Think, Iowa State Fair, large crowds and trying to stay in arms reach of my child. Children have a incredible way of finding shiny things hanging or what looks like some fun. Similarly, parents get focused on something, and boom, I lost him. I was surprised, then scared, then bit of anger, then worry and then mix of all of that. 

For parents whose child is gone (for longer than it takes a department store announcement or our shouts to find them), things go through the mind.  When you are scared and wondering what has happened or could happen, rarely, the good things bubble to the top, but instead, we think the worst. 

Thus, this child returns home in tatters, hungry, and pitiful. We can imagine being overwhelmed with seeing them alive. Just that is a relief of the emotional coaster-ride, and that converts negative energy into positive.

Not just relief but overwhelmed with joy that one is found! 

Pivot.

This cant be much consolation to the angry, dutiful child and neither the words “you are always with me…”

The parable ends there, and we can imagine sequels to this story. Many could even rewrite this parable with how we would have acted as the one who squandered looking for forgiveness; we could be the parent deciding how to welcome (if at all); and we could be the dutiful child holding grudges.

Good story writers, even comics, lead us through stories to reveal the point  in the last line (aka punchline.)

 

This is however no joke. The parable ends here instead of pondering various negative ways this could end. 

Perhaps, Jesus wants us (and religious elites) to understand the value of finding those who are lost. 

Jesus wants us to realize God is the welcoming parent, who is willing to celebrate with forgiveness - while acknowledging those who have been dutiful. Further, God wants the dutiful to also take time to find and celebrate those who are found - because the father says, “we had to celebrate.” 

For us who are dutiful, question what value are we holding in our grudges. To have stacked up all this good work and effort (wealth) is meaningless if we aren’t willing to give out forgiveness, like our God. 

Go ahead wear the suits and do duties. Look up from your work and see people come to God from their own journeys. That is part of your duties being realized and that should be celebrated.

Psalmist tells us, “do not be …without understanding, whose temper must be curbed…"

Good thing this isn’t about what you or I would do but what God does.

Instead celebrate God's forgiveness.

That Beloved is for all of us, 

Thanks be to God.

Repent because you need to - Luke 13 - Lent 3C

Repent Because You Need To

Tony E Hansen

Reflection based upon Luke 13:1-9, Psalm 63, 

Opening prayer

From the beginning of Luke, we hear John calling out a need to repent, “to bear fruits worthy of repentance…”

In chapter 13, Jesus reminds us of this with the fig tree parable. 

Why repent? We know plenty of examples where repentance has been used to inflict actual harm, but Jesus suggests repentance not as punishment but as a good way.

Prior to this, Jesus is questioned about a catastrophic tower collapse that killed people.  People question Jesus, “did they suffer because they were worse sinners?” 

When people talked about New Orleans after Katrina, when people talk about Ukraine after Russia invaded, or recently when fires destroyed parts of southern California. In each of these instances, you hear these people mere presence somehow caused the grief they suffered and not deserving of empathy or compassion. 

They make political spectacles of catastrophe. 

During the basketball tourney, we see crowds of people praying for victory, but only half of them are going away with a preferred outcome. Were the teams who lost praying less?

People talk about whole regions or cities as pariahs that are allowing crime and perversions to run amuck aka “blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices.” Yet, those same people never once stop and think about how much of this happens in our own actions or our own perverse attitudes. 

I submit, there are people who claim perverse things happening while they themselves are being perverse in their own words, attitudes and actions. Surprised? 

This happens more than we like to admit. 

That applies to what you think about these words from me. I hear some of you choose not to heed these Gospel lessons because I haven’t lived the most pious life. Thus, this interpretation is somehow “less than.” 

Yet, I have never claimed to be perfect (how could I?) I fail too.

How does that make valid, truthful interpretations of scripture as something “less than?” In fact, the question should be, as Jesus asks, “Who among you has not sinned?” 

This is, however, people snaking ways around what God calls us to do; Or folks confessing sins (for forgiveness) in order to do them all over again. 

Broken thinking. This is a need for repentance: turning to God instead of away.

Broken thinking is us offloading our own sins without acknowledging or understanding what we do, what we did, what the consequences are and why those consequences matter to you, me and to our Creator.

That would be akin to me claiming that I gain weight not because of my own diet and exercise, but because my proximity to others that don’t diet and exercise. How are they responsible for my own failings, my own weight gain?

We dismiss and avoid what is right or even the appropriate (often difficult) path forward because we know losing weight is the easiest task . Because the right path of loving God and loving our neighbor does take work, good mind and good hearts.

Repentance: turning to God instead of away, instead of dismissing. 

So yes, John, the Baptist, and Jesus call upon us to “repent”, to change our ways, to produce fruit and ultimately, to turn to God. 

The catastrophes like the tower of Siloam (catastrophe of any sort), and this parable instead represent opportunities. They represent invitations for us to participate in some deep reflection, self examination of what we do, have done, haven’t done or could do.  

It is a basic theme, not just of Lent but, of the Gospels altogether.  For we are never any moment’s notice from the next catastrophe where all we are can dramatically change - when we could be that story.  

That is one of the reasons why this season is beautiful, because Lent is a season to self examine and return to the truth that is our Creator. 

There, we can sit with the grace of our Creator even with the brokenness that is around us and despite the destruction that could be.

Instead of complaining why someone lives near flood plains, tornado alley, fire-kindling dry forests, or invading armies, we could find the compassion of Jesus tapping us on the shoulder to remind us to be compassionate, empathetic, and offer to help where we can.

We know there are things we cannot control. Why bemoan people making unfortunate choices, people like you and I? 

Repent, prepare your hearts and minds for divine guidance. 

Instead of egotistically assuming we only put out “good” in this world, … hogwash.

Repent, let go of ego and prepare your heart to teach, guide and show love to those around you and me.

Let us remember that we have in God, someone who gives us everything, is always forgiving, and is abundantly doing these for us.  

Where is our example of this?  

Instead of finding fault, judging or dismissing people, remember they too are children of God. 

Repent, heal and be the example.

Healing does not mean that we ignore or forget what has happened, but we do not let hate and fear prevent healing. God is there. Listen to the Spirit and you will find healing.

Beloved, repent because you need to. Be the love of Jesus. Find your place in the comfort and love of God. 

Welcome folks to be there with you, for that is what you are asked to do. That is when you bear fruit.

Thanks Be to God

Living Between the Already and the Not Yet - Luke 4 - Lent 1C

Living between the already and the not yet

Tony Hansen

Sermon based upon Luke 4: 1-13, Psalm 91, Deuteronomy 26: 1-11

Opening prayer (Ps. 19)

Luke’s lesson is a familiar text. The “testing of Jesus” where the devil tests and torments Jesus for 40 days. 

Jesus succeeds where others fail: empty images of sustenance, false promises of power, and testing God.

Anyone who shifts to low-calorie diets will tell you, losing weight has plenty of tests.

Wouldn’t it be nice to lose weight or even eat bread at a finger-snap? We know that is not how it works, but we are willing to judge others for not doing enough to get what they need.

People have egos and pride. Power is seductive and being in crowds of people makes us think we have power there and that we have extended family there, but do we ask, who are we following and why? 

Maybe, we are outside, looking at a crowd seeming to go wrong ways. What to do ?

Are people following money, materials, broken political leaders? Assuredly, these will fail.

We, Christians, ought to lean into our baptismal vows to reject broken (or evil) ways and to follow God’s call to us.

 

Yet, people want others to take care of the vulnerable rather than I being that caretaker because it takes time, money and energy to do these things. 

Isn’t that just pretense to “I don’t want to.” (More broken world speaking.)

Even that isn’t what we mean, when we find ourselves in the wrong crowd or following wrong ideas, are we willing to change paths? Are we willing to return to God’s work that takes time and energy instead of lavishing in quick empty “fixes”? 

Or it is a transaction - a test, “I will do this, God, if you do that for me.” Telling God instead of trusting God.

That screams, “I don’t need God in my life.” As we read in Matthew 6, they will surely receive their reward. 

Observe the last verse, that devil “departed from him until an opportune time.”

This lesson goes beyond tests but to consider, “living between the already and the not yet.” (Jacobsen, 2025)

Sounds poetic or a basis of some hero epic. 

Yet, the question remains, What do we do between the times we succeed (or fail) and the next time we are tested, tempted or otherwise?

Consider: does a devil lurk around the corner like a cartoon character to cause us trip and fall? Or, do we have some agency in our actions?

If we do submit incorrectly or just fail, what then? Do we keep on living in our own minds? Do we shrug off - “not my monkey not my circus”? 

Or do we take a moment to understand, to adjust? 

Perhaps then we might remember to trust God?

Perhaps, circumstances were inviting; perhaps, we had few (if any) choices; or perhaps, we knew exactly what we were doing and chose not the good way but something or someone else.

This is beyond eating chocolates when we said we wouldnt, but much more.

Things don’t just happen but it is how one responds to what happens that determines whether to learn, to do good or to fail and keep failing or worse.

We could continue being alone in doubts or self-righteousness by forgetting (or rejecting) and not trusting God.

Deuteronomy says we are to remember that we were once aliens, and that someone gave to us. That someone gave us fruit after years of not having any. Be grateful.

“You who live in the shelter of Lord, who abide in the shadow of God…”

What is your response to the fruit given to you? Are you skeptical, even cynical, or are you thankful and listening to the Spirit?

Our response to God’s favor in our life, a life that today has grace, a life today that still has troubles, but we have some hope. 

Our response should be like that of Jesus in Luke. 

Who do I trust? who do I worship?

Especially when you are facing torments and pain in your life now, 

The answer should always be God. 

I have my own stories of pain and torment that I could share. People have wrote books and epics about their struggles, and from them, we can learn how we might work through our own. They only teach us so much.

With God, there is much more.

What Jesus does in Luke and what we see in Deuteronomy is to not give up on or test God but instead, to realize the possibility and the abundance we have because of God. God is there to save us in the”already”, deliver us in the ”not yet” and teach us in between.

“When we were aliens, the Lord heard us and delivered us from our pain and torment with great majesty and awe.”

Let that word alien(s) sink and stir us a minute. That term is used today to invoke hostility instead of neighborly.

“…together with the Levites and the aliens who reside among you, shall celebrate with all the bounty that God has given.”

We do that in the “between” because there is enough food and there is family with God when we trust in that work.

The Psalmist says they, who welcome and who take refuge (to trust) in God, will be delivered because they, together, call and God answers. 

Even in despair and questions, in between the already and yet to be, there is learning. There are neighbors. There is hope. There is a bright horizon. There is the Promise.

Despite trials behind us or tests to come, when we embody trust like Jesus, there is God for us.

Thus, be grateful and we say, 

Thanks be to God.