God's Love; a Burning Fire

by Deacon Lorna Goodison on March 24, 2022

Last Sunday, we read how Moses’ curiosity was sparked by the awesome sight of a bush ablaze with fire yet not consumed, and he went closer to look at it. There, at what appeared as a burning bush, Moses encountered God. God is like a burning fire, overflowing with passionate love for all! Just as Moses drew near to the burning bush, in the same way, the gospel for this coming Sunday (Luke15:1-3 &11-32), tells us of tax collectors and sinners who draw near to Jesus to listen to him and encounter God.

Some Pharisees, grounded in categorizing people as either righteous, holy, and clean or unclean and unholy, complained that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Their expectation was that Jesus would protect His holiness by distancing himself from sinners. But the Pharisees were correct. God in Christ does welcome sinners wholeheartedly! In order to demonstrate God’s welcoming, reconciling love, Jesus tells three parables (the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son).

Today’s gospel focuses on the parable of the prodigal son. The parable features a father and two sons. The father is a symbol of God’s passionate love; a love that is pure, forgiving, endless, and non-judgmental. The father also expresses God’s nearness, God’s involvement in the dailiness of our lives. The parable begins with the younger son’s impetuous demand that the father, although alive, give him his inheritance. The son receives the money and goes off to a “distant land.” After squandering all his money, in desperation, he takes a job feeding pigs. He then faces himself, the emptiness of his soul. He decides to return home, ask his father for forgiveness and request a job as a hired hand. In contrast, the father’s soul remained hopeful, patiently waiting for his son’s return.  Scanning the roadway one day, he saw his son from afar. The father, overflowing with love, runs to welcome his son and warmly embraces him. He celebrates his son’s return with joy, just like God our Father celebrates our conversion!

Upon hearing about the joyful celebration, the older son is upset, resentful, and outraged. He refuses to join in the celebration. From the older brother's viewpoint, justice would demand that his brother be punished not celebrated. Additionally, he had not been rewarded for his loyal service. But God’s passionate and perfect love transcends our view of justice or righteousness. The father lovingly assures the older son, “Son, you are always with me and all that is mine is yours.”

Both sons are welcomed in the loving, reconciling embrace of the father, not counting their trespasses. We all face temptations to be like the brothers, sometimes committing blatant sins, symbolized in the actions of the younger son and sometimes committing subtle sins, through our self-justifying attitudes or our blind spots, symbolized in the actions of the older brother.  Christ appeals to us to consider love always. Christ came to earth from a “distant country” in love, to reconcile us to God. God’s love so burns like a raging fire, He does not wish “that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” Amen

Tags: love, passionate love, fire, repentance, reconcile, forgiving, pure, temptations, non-judgmental

About the Author
Deacon Lorna Goodison

Reverend Lorna Goodison was ordained to the Diaconate on April 29, 2007. After discerning a call to ordained ministry, Deacon Lorna completed a process of spiritual discernment and pursued three years of study at the Diocesan School for Christian Studies. She also completed three units of hospice care training through Vitas and for a short while she was a volunteer Chaplain. Highlights of her continuing education activities include a guided visit to Israel and attending the Festival of Homiletics in Boulder, Colorado.

Soon after her ordination, Deacon Lorna was called to serve as Deacon at St. Mary Magdalene. She initiated an outreach ministry to the homeless at St. Laurence Chapel, obtaining the support and involvement of most members of the congregation. This ministry remained a vibrant outreach of the Church until the Chapel closed in 2019.  Other outreach ministries formed include an informal group of members who stay in touch with members who are ill and shut-in. Deacon Lorna remains committed to both the in-reach and outreach ministries of the Church. She has led quiet day reflections for groups within and outside of St. Mary Magdalene. She has often led Deacon’s Masses at small churches without a priest. Of all the ministries in which Deacon Lorna participates, she is most humbled and grateful to be involved in the ministry of praying with congregants facing life’s challenges.

Deacon Lorna serves the Diocese of Southeast Florida as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. She also serves on the Board of Deacons.   

Professionally, Deacon Lorna worked for some years in Human Resource Departments as a Training Manager, but most of her working years were spent in Social Work. She worked with at-risk teenagers counselling them and guiding them to resources to build a meaningful future. The last twenty years of her profession, were spent working with Seniors, guiding them to the resources needed to maintain their safety and independence. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a master’s degree in Adult Education. She is now retired, cherishes some alone time for prayer and reflection, but divides her time between the Church and her family which consists of two daughters, their husbands and three grandchildren.

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