1st Scripture Reading – Psalm 32
The Joy of Forgiveness
1Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silent, my body wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let all who are faithful
offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
8
I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
else it will not stay near you.
10Many are the torments of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
2nd Scripture Reading – Luke 15:11-32
The Parable of the Prodigal and His Brother
11 Then Jesus said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his
father, ‘Father, give me the share of the wealth that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets
between them. 13A few days later the younger son gathered all he had and traveled to a distant
region, and there he squandered his wealth in dissolute living. 14 When he had spent everything,
a severe famine took place throughout that region, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went
and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that region, who sent him to his fields to feed the
pigs. 16He would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, and no
one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses he said, ‘How many of my father’s
hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! 18
I will get up and
go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19
I
am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he set
off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with
compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. 21 Then the son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.’
22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out a robe—the best one—and put it on
him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let
us eat and celebrate, 24
for this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his elder son was in the field, and as he came and approached the house, he heard
music and dancing. 26He called one of the slaves and asked what was going on. 27 He replied,
‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf because he has got him back
safe and sound.’
28 Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began
to plead with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have been working
like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command, yet you have never given me
even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came
back, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ 31 Then
the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had
to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was
lost and has been found.’ ”