In this fourth Sunday of Lent, we follow along with Jesus as he is confronted by those who question the limits of God's love and grace. Religious leaders saw Jesus eating at the table with sinners and others that they deemed unworthy of God's love. Jesus responds by telling them a story about a man whose youngest son demanded his father's inheritance. He left his father and spent years living it up and wasted the money fulfilling his deepest most sinful desires. Eventually, this youngest son found himself without food and returned home at the deepest and most desperate moment of his life. Would he be welcome? Would he be rejected? his father welcomed him home. His older brother protested because it wasn't fair. 

As we journey with Jesus through the fourth week of the season of Lent, create some time each and every day for self and spiritual reflection.  Ask yourself the following questions as you struggle with being a faithful and devoted disciple  of Jesus Christ:

1. How have I squandered God's love and grace today?

2. How have I judged or condemned others because I am protesting the unfairness of God's love? 

3. How can I have more of a servant's heart rather than a selfish hardened heart? 

Pray about this and spend some time in honest reflection considering how you can be a more faithful and devoted disciple of Jesus. 

Merciful God, welcome me home when I wander afar. Restore me with your compassion and love. Transform me with your miraculous grace, that I might become the new creations you envision me to be. Strengthen me with the power of your Holy Spirit, that I might offer others the same welcome, grace, and love that you have offered me. In your beloved name, I pray.  Amen.