Inspired by lyrics to “Ready, Willing, and Worthy” by Richard Mekdeci:
The story of the Prodigal reveals my own soul journey of spiritual ‘worthship.’
“I’m ready, willing and worthy to open my heart and receive all of the heavenly blessings there for me when I believe.”
As I “come to myself,” I am in the creative flow again.
“I’m ready, willing and worthy and that’s all I have to be, ‘cause when I’m ready, willing and worthy, God is able to bless me.”
Responsive Reading for Sunday, July 7
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ . . . When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any” (Luke 15:11-16).
The story of the Prodigal reveals my own soul journey of spiritual worthship.
“Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, ‘ Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.’ So he got up and went back to his father” (Lk. 15:11-20).
“I’m ready, willing and worthy to open my heart and receive all of the heavenly blessings there for me when I believe.”
“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But the father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. . . . Then the celebration began” (Luke 11:20-24).
As I “come to myself,” I am in the creative flow again.
“Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing . . . . He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ’Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you ever gave me even a [small dinner] . . . But when your son returns who [spent all your money on wild living], for him you [give a big party]. He father] said to him, “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found’” (Luke 15:11-32).
“I’m ready, willing and worthy and that’s all I have to be, ‘cause when I’m ready, willing and worthy, God is able to bless me.”