The Oasis - March 26, 2025
Author: Rev. Eric Dupee
March 26, 2025
This Sunday we will be looking at the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke’s gospel. It’s sometimes referred to as the story of the Loving Parent. Without getting into a lot of detail, the story is about a young man who wanders away from home, squanders his inheritance in irresponsible living, and returns home. I’ve been thinking about what home means. How would we define it? In the past, I’ve struggled with defining home for myself. In my growing up years, I never lived in one place for more than five years. I’ve had to be creative about defining home.
Here is a quote from a piece titled Home written by Gerhard E. Frost. He writes, “Home is where you are even when you’re not; where you unbutton whatever is pinching you, loosen whatever is choking you, set down whatever is breaking you, and tell whatever is bothering you.” He goes on to write, “Home is where you let up and let down, where you stop hiding and let yourself be found, where you quit being someone else and are just your needy old self.”
Last June, a group from First Parish went to central Maine and worked on the homes of some families that needed a little assistance. That was rewarding work. I wish for everyone a place they can call home. I also hope that First Parish Church feels like a spiritual home to you.
Blessings,
Eric
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