Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew (SsAM)

Seeking to know and love God in every person, here, now.

  • Welcome To SsAM
    • Guiding Principles, Statements of Mission and Vision
    • News & Upcoming Events
    • Online Calendar
    • Visit SsAM on Facebook
    • eMail Sign Up
    • Worship at SsAM
    • Sunday Documents: Leaflet, Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
  • Who We Are
    • Diversity
    • Clergy
      • Clergy Transition
      • Rev. James Bimbi, Interim Rector
      • Rev. Canon Lloyd S. Casson
      • Rev. Clay Brown
      • Sermons
    • Vestry
    • Staff
      • D-L Casson, Church Administrator
      • David Christopher, Music Director
    • Children’s Ministries
    • ECW: Episcopal Church Women at SsAM
    • History of the Parish
    • Visit the SsAM Photo Archive on Flickr
    • Member Photos
      • Photo & Video Archive
    • People Who Pray
  • What We Do
    • Services of Worship
      • Sunday Documents: Bulletin, Weekly Vision, Readings
      • Prayer Services at SsAM
      • Baptisms
      • Weddings
        • Wedding Guidelines
        • Wedding Fees
      • Funerals
    • Children’s Chapel
    • Adult Education
    • Reflection Essays
    • List of Health / Wellness Posts
    • Season of Creation
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Annual Reports
  • Get Involved
    • eNewsletter Sign Up
    • Volunteer in the Community!
    • Volunteer at Worship!
    • Volunteer Behind The Scenes!
    • Health / Wellness Posts
    • Invite Welcome Connect
    • Financial Contributions and Stewardship
    • Stewardship Posts
    • Pledge Form 2023
    • Member Resources
  • Music
    • Our Unique Approach to Music and Liturgical Design
    • Choral Music at SsAM
    • Katherine Esterly Organ
    • Music Staff
    • Artists in Residence
      • Jonathan Whitney
      • Delaware ChoralArts
    • Sacred Jazz at SsAM
    • Upcoming Musical Events
    • Make a contribution to support SsAM’s Music Ministry and the Friends of the Katherine Esterly Organ
  • Contribute
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Us
    • Directions

Reflection on the Return of the Prodigal Son by Mary Lou Edgar

Reflection for Sunday, March 6, 2022 by Mary Lou Edgar for the 4th Sunday in Lent.

Recently I read The Return of the Prodigal Son by Father Henri J.M. Nouwen. I have always admired Henri Nouwen, and I love the parable, so I jumped right into this book.

Rembrandt's "The Return of the Prodigal Son"
Rembrandt’s “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. Click the image to see it larger in a new tab.

The book is based on Father Nouwen’s perception of Rembrandt’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son. More than the story of the Prodigal Son, this is a story of Father Nouwen and the realizations he has about himself as he studies the painting. Father Nouwen calls this experience – in which he is incredibly vulnerable and led by the Holy Spirit – a long spiritual adventure that brought him to a new understanding of his vocation and offered him new strength to live it. Henri Nouwen studied each character and put himself in their place. This parable is in this week’s gospel. I thought it might be a good Lenten exercise to think about who in the parable each of us believes we are. My thoughts about myself are included below.

Who Is This Parable About?

For a very long time, I believed this this was the story of a forgiving father who loves his son. To me, it was a story of God welcoming us back home after we have sinned and asked for forgiveness. It is all that, but it can also be seen as much more. It involves a process. When thinking about the younger son, I saw his need to leave his home seeking conditional acceptance. The world wants us to be good looking, smart, accomplished, popular, etc. But God’s love is unconditional. None of these attributes matter to Him. His love is for us, the person we are, not what we accomplish. I saw in myself, much like the younger son, the need to leave my home and find all the exciting things that really didn’t matter. In the beginning, I was not as successful as I had hoped. After years of searching, I found that when I was ready, God still waited for me. In that renewed relationship, I found that I needed less of the exciting things. Other things, such as my faith and my family became all important.

The older son was angry that his father was celebrating his brother’s return. He had stayed home, didn’t ask for anything, and felt overlooked. Because there can be high expectations for first children in a family, it seems as though the older brother is as lost as the younger one. Although he did his duty and remained loyal, inside he became increasingly unhappy. Because of his envy, he is unable to celebrate his brother in any way. Older children often want to please their parents. In return for this, they get added responsibility. Eventually, they begin to feel anger and resentment begins to take root. For the older son, obedience and duty became a burden. It is only a matter of time before that resentment impacts the relationship between the son and the father. As an oldest child, I understand this. I had a great deal of responsibility and missed many of the things my younger siblings enjoyed. However, I also was rewarded for the work I did in ways that I didn’t always notice. Consequently, I became jealous, angry, and dismissive of others. Over time I began to reconcile all those pieces of my life and find peace.

All Of Us Are Loved Unconditionally

I am fascinated by the father in this parable. He appears to be a non-judgmental man forgiving his son and welcoming him home. However, I found him to be much more complicated than that. What led him to just give his younger son his inheritance and let him go? What was his life like in raising his sons? Although he appears to be very forgiving, he did not invite his older son immediately to the feast he was preparing. His son found out from servants. He clearly appears to devalue all his older son has done. As a parent, I too have made this mistake – although on a much smaller scale. However, God does not discriminate between us based on deeds. We truly are all loved unconditionally. This is a concept I am still struggling to embrace, and I continue to pray about it.

Reading this book made me look at this parable in a much different way. It was more than the lesson; it was about the people in the lesson. I saw myself in each of them in one way or another. Like Fr. Nouwen, I was surprised to admit that this parable was about me. It is easy to read a parable and think about others; it is more difficult to ascribe meaning to ourselves. For me, this was a beneficial and ultimately a joyful exercise. Possibly it will be for you too.

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.”
—Isaiah 41:13

_____________________

Mary Lou Edgar, 130x190pxABOUT THE AUTHOR: Mary Lou Edgar, MSS, is a clinical social worker who founded A Better Chance for Our Children, an adoption and foster care agency that works to find permanent homes for children in the foster care system.  Mary Lou was the Executive Director of ABCFOC, but she is now retired.  She graduated from Neumann University and Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Social Research. She and her husband joined SsAM in 2021.

Click here to see all the Adult Education posts on this website.

We usually worship God on Sundays at 8:00 and 10:30am, Click here to learn more.

Visitor CardLet us know you visited!

Use our Prayer Request form.

Minister to others in worship services, behind the scenes, and in the community.

We are looking for 100% participation this year rather than a financial goal.

Make a secure on-line contrabution..

NEWS

Worship God with us in downtown Wilmington, Delaware

You are invited to worship God with us in person on Sunday at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. in downtown Wilmington, Delaware. The 10:30 a.m. service … [Read More...]

Clergy Transition – Our Search for a New Rector

June 2, 2023 — Throughout the month of June we will be welcoming our semi-finalists to visit SsAM. In those visits, they will get to know … [Read More...]

Welcome To SsAM. You are invited!

SsAM, the Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew in downtown Wilmington, Delaware, welcomes you. Come to God’s Table! Come, you … [Read More...]

SsAM Presents: Upcoming Events

Worship God with us this Sunday, June 11 at 8:00 or 10:30 a.m. Click here to learn more about worship services at the Episcopal Church of … [Read More...]

Scholarships Available for SsAM Members

The deadline is July 15, 2023 to apply for $1,000 college scholarships. The Community Advocacy Committee sponsors scholarships for students … [Read More...]

Vikings, Grimaces, and Cobble Stones

A reflection by Danny Schweers for June 2, 2023. As Vikings cheered, riders grimaced their way over the cobblestones and up Monkey … [Read More...]

Children’s Chapel continues on June 11 at 10:30am.

Children’s Chapel will meet on June 11 at 10:30am. Chapel is usually on every second and fourth Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in Crypt … [Read More...]

Steps to Peace and Justice

Discussion Series on Peace, Justice, and Race, Third Wednesdays at 6:30pm via Zoom. by Norwood Coleman, Sr. For the next few months on … [Read More...]

First Friday Walks for Justice and Peace in Wilmington, Delaware

The next walks are on Friday, June 2 and July 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the SsAM parking lot, 713 N. Shipley Street. Join us for this peaceful, … [Read More...]

Chris White Art Gallery and Shipley Artist Lofts.

Edward Loper Jr. receptions at Chris White Gallery, 5-9pm, Fridays,  July 7 and 14. Here are three chances to see “Wilmington and … [Read More...]

See all the News & Upcoming Events posts

Worship Services

We will be delighted if you worship with us in-person or via video this Sunday. Click here to learn more!

Visit Us

719 N. Shipley Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
with free parking weekends and evenings next to the church at 713 N. Shipley Street. Click here to learn more about parking and directions.
Office Hours
Monday – Thursday, 9:00 to 4:30
Friday, 9:00 to 1:00

OUR MISSION

To be an inclusive Christian community which worships God, follows Christ in all aspects of our lives, and serves the Greater Wilmington area through actions and ministries which promote peace, justice, reconciliation and empowerment for all people.

Contact Us

PHONE: 302 656-6628

EMAIL: Click here to use our email form.

FACEBOOK: Click here to see our Facebook page. You need a Facebook account to see it.

YOUTUBE: Click here to see our YouTube Channel. Some smart TV sets will allow you to stream YouTube, so you can watch in your den or living room. Search for “Saints Andrews and Matthew”.

Are You New to SsAM?

If you are new to SsAM, please click here to see the Welcome to SsAM booklet in PDF format. The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew and Matthew is a dynamic and diverse congregation in downtown Wilmington, Delaware.

Our Vision

The Episcopal Church of Sts. Andrew and Matthew seeks to be a dynamic, spiritual center that is active in the pursuit of peace and justice in the community and a place where all God’s people are honored.

LINKS

  • Worship at SsAM: Sunday Documents, Church News, and More
  • eNewsletter Sign Up
  • YouTube Service Videos
  • SsAM on Facebook
  • Recent Announcements at SsAM
  • On-Line Calendar
  • Annual Reports
  • Clergy Transition
  • Episcopal Church in Delaware
  • Episcopal Church USA
  • Michael Curry’s blog: the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
  • Episcopal Digital Network
  • Forward Day By Day
  • Book of Common Prayer
  • Camp Arrowhead, Delaware
  • Congregational Development
  • Calendar
  • Visit SsAM on Facebook
  • eNewsletter Sign-up

Donations Are Welcome, and a Necessity
Our ministries are dependent on financial donations. Click here to make a secure credit-card donation on-line or to learn

Our main focus is ministry, not money!
We offer a host of ministries for which you can volunteer. You can participate in worship services, help make the church hum, or offer your time and talent to the local community.

SsAM Logo

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2023 The Episcopal Church of Saints Andrew & Matthew · Log in