“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”
Luke 15:18-20 [NIV]
So he messed up, in fact the younger brother messed up really badly. He had effectively said that he wanted his dad dead by asking for his inheritance, and then he had gone off and wasted it all. But he came to his senses and went home to say sorry, and what a tremendous welcome home.
His dad was waiting for him and welcomed him home with a great big party.
Today is St Patrick’s Day. Among the things which St Patrick is known for are words known as “The Breasplate of St Patrick”. This is Tim Hughes’ adaptation of these words, which you can also listen to at www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V0rgrt1nTM
“God in my living, there in my breathing
God in my waking, God in my sleeping
God in my resting, there in my working
God in my thinking, God in my speaking
Be my everything
God in my hoping, there in my dreaming
God in my watching, God in my waiting
God in my laughing, there in my weeping
God in my hurting, God in my healing
Christ in me the hope of glory
You are everything
Christ in me the hope of glory
Be my everything
You are everything
Jesus, Everything”
Now that is something worth celebrating on St Patrick’s Day
