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b'(Jos.5:9a,10-12;\\xa0\\xa0 Ps.34:2-7,9;\\xa0\\xa0 2Cor.5:17-21;\\xa0\\xa0 Lk.15:1-3,11-32) \\u201cToday I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.\\u201d As the Israelites now realize their redemption from slavery in Egypt as they step into the Promised Land, so the prodigal son comes to his own redemption, his own release from slavery as a hired hand in a foreign land, as he returns to his father\\u2019s house.\\xa0 Yes, as the Israelites \\u201cate of the produce of the land\\u201d for the first time after the feast of Passover, so the prodigal son feasts on the \\u201cfattened calf\\u201d slaughtered for him by his merciful father.\\xa0 And the redemption of both is a redemption from sin. Today we hear quite clearly \\u201cthe message of reconciliation\\u201d proclaimed throughout our readings.\\xa0 It is a call to all souls and a thanksgiving to God, \\u201cwho has reconciled us to Himself through Christ.\\u201d\\xa0 And will we come to the water and drink?\\xa0 Will we leave behind \\u201cthe pods on which the swine fe[e]d\\u201d and come to His table to eat?\\xa0 Will we too come to our senses and, realizing the mercy the Father holds for all His children, return to the House of God and feast in the land to which He leads us? It seems certain, and simple, that we should join David in his song of praise, that we should heed him as he entreats our souls: \\u201cGlorify the Lord with me.\\u201d\\xa0 For as \\u201cfrom all his distress He saved him,\\u201d so from all our distress He saves us; and so nothing should fill our hearts but joy.\\xa0 \\u201cHe was lost and has been found,\\u201d the Lord declares in jubilation over every poor sinner who returns to His fold.\\xa0 And so, should we not respond gratefully to the appeal of Paul and all those entrusted with \\u201cthe ministry of reconciliation\\u201d to indeed \\u201cbe reconciled to God.\\u201d\\xa0 In faith let us confess our sins and know the gracious blood of our Redeemer pouring upon our souls. \\u201cFor our sake He made Him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.\\u201d\\xa0 And now He waits on the road before His House for our return.\\xa0 Now He longs to open the doors of forgiveness and let us into His dwelling.\\xa0 Now He would see the sacrifice of His Son bear fruit, that we all might be as He is.\\xa0 Accept His removal of sin like a sword in the depths of your soul, and enter into His kingdom. ******* O LORD, let us eat of the yield of your Holy Land and become a new creation. YHWH, let us be reconciled to you who hold your arms open to receive us poor sinners.\\xa0 In your Son and in His sacrifice you offer us redemption from all our iniquity and invite us in to sup with you in your House, in your eternal kingdom.\\xa0 We are not worthy of such grace, but your love transcends our unworthiness. To the Promised Land the Israelites come, having left the bonds of Egypt behind.\\xa0 You gave them bread by your hand on their way to freedom, and now the fruit of that land they eat and find themselves well fed. The Prodigal Son is welcomed home by his compassionate father.\\xa0 The fattened calf is killed in celebration of his return, though half of his father\\u2019s property he has squandered in his sin.\\xa0 O LORD, how can we fathom your love for us, your invitation to us to come back to your side despite our disobedience?\\xa0 May all men come to their senses and call out to you.'