Día 4 · Lent: A Return to God
The Father Who Comes Out to Meet Us (en inglés)
Por ahora, los textos de estas oraciones están en inglés. Solo publicamos en español las oraciones cuya traducción podemos verificar en una fuente ortodoxa publicada o en la Reina-Valera 1909.
"He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him."Luke 15:20
Reflexión (en inglés)
The son had rehearsed a careful speech, expecting to be received as a hired servant, but the father never let him finish. While the son was still far off, the father was already running toward him. This is the heart of Lent: we take our first stumbling steps homeward and discover that God has been watching the road for us the whole time.
Una oración (en inglés)
Loving Father, I am often like the son on the road, rehearsing my apologies and bracing for rejection. Thank you that you do not wait stiffly at the door but come out to meet me while I am still far off. Quiet my fear that I have wandered too far to be welcomed. Let me feel the embrace of your compassion today, and help me to live as one who is truly home. Amen.
Llévalo contigo (en inglés)
Do I picture God as reluctant, or as coming out to meet me? What might change if I trusted the second picture?