A verse that struck me and one that may or may not get an airing on Sunday is toward the end of the yarn where the father says to the elder son:
‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’
It is a common saying but very true that ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. We can become so used to something or someone that we never give it a second thought. I have been married to the same lady now for almost forty two years (Yes, I double checked before writing that down!), and on my good days I am aware of a love that is greater today than it was way back when we were both younger and sillier. On reflection I think we are both sillier now than we ever were?! However, that is on my good days – of which there are many – but on those occasional bad days I recognise times when I have been – by my actions or disregard - contemptuous of the riches that I have been given.
‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’ So then I got to thinking about other relationships that I am so familiar with that I might be in danger of treating with contempt. I have kept in touch with someone via email for many months now and at no time have I received a reply. Why bother? I could use my precious time better. Following this bit of trifle I am going to make a point of shooting off a quick email to that friend and let him know the latest news and wish him well.
Due to our calling in life Ronnie and I have for many years now found ourselves distant from family. We have both gone through the pain of not being close by when illness or crisis has struck members of our family. We struggled for so long as Ronnie’s mum’s health deteriorated and difficult decisions were often made long distance. It was a great blessing for Ronnie and her mum that mother and daughter were able to spend a final few weeks together and that Ronnie was with her when she died. Alternately my dad’s fragile health slipped very quickly one weekend and I was unable to say goodbye and our trip south the day after his death was to help organise a funeral service. Yet, I have a great peace about this because whenever I was with dad in those final years, we were both aware that every time we said goodbye, it could well be our last one. In my dad’s case at least, I like to think that I was not contemptuous of our relationship. He wasn’t rich but everything he had was mine.
Of course as I have reflected on this one sentence in a long story about a selfish young son, my thoughts have also drifted to my relationship with God. In what ways has familiarity bred contempt? We are halfway through the season of Lent and many in our local congregation have given up something to support the Lent Event project. Is part of that giving up also connected to giving back? Are we just giving up something to raise money for a good cause? Or is part of our sacrifice also an opportunity to reflect upon the great love of God that continues to reach out to us, even in our moments of contempt, jealousy, anger, envy and apathy.
‘Son (daughter), you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’
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