In the Prodigal Son story  (Luke 15: 11-32) we see that God loves the older brother just as much as he does the younger brother who is the Prodigal. I think that it is about time that the older brothers and sisters hear about it.

There have been a lot of elder brothers and sisters in the history of the church. There was St. Teresa of Avila (1515-1582) who lived in the 16th century, a time of political, social and religious upheaval. It was a time of turmoil and reform.

Teresa never left the Father’s home. She went into a convent at an early age and developed a life of self-discipline that would fill anyone with awe. She spent hours a day in prayer.

One day, when she was in her mid 40’s, she was entering the chapel to pray as she did every day. And as she entered the chapel she noticed a picture, a picture which had been on the wall for years. It was a picture of Jesus being scourged prior to his crucifixion.

Suddenly the realization came to Teresa that Jesus had been scourged for her. Those who have studied her life say that this was the great turning point of her whole life. She had stayed at home in the Father’s house. She had done the right thing.

But she needed to know that the Jesus who was whipped and scourged was whipped and scourged for Teresa. And there was great joy in heaven that day — not over a soul returning from wild living……but for a soul returning from the fields after a hard day’s work and knowing how much she was loved.

Are YOU more like the older brother or sister in the Prodigal Son story, at home living a quiet, responsible life? What experience or image in YOUR faith journey has so touched YOU that it was the turning point in YOUR relationship with Jesus to the point that there was great rejoicing in heaven?

LEAVE ROOM FOR GOD TO SEND YOU ON DETOURS BECAUSE BLESSINGS MAY COME ON THE PATHS YOU DIDN’T EXPECT!

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