Meditate on the Word - For a Decent and Investigative Christianity (EN)

In the Christian journey, we all face moments of pain, exhaustion, and deep wounds—whether emotional, spiritual, or even physical. As soldiers of the Kingdom, we are in a continuous battle, and at times, the weight of these struggles can cause us to stumble. Just as in the armed forces, when a recruit becomes a soldier, there is a symbolic exchange of headgear, representing their readiness, competence, and belonging to the corps. In God's Kingdom, this spiritual transition also requires healing, restoration, and a renewal of purpose. What should we do when our wounds leave us unable to move forward? The answer lies in God’s restoring love and the mission of the Body of Christ to never leave behind a "wounded soldier." Acknowledging the Wounds The first step to healing is recognizing the wounds and bringing them into the light of God's presence. Often, we force ourselves to appear strong, ignoring our pain and vulnerabilities. However, God does not expect us to carry t...

  The Parable of the Prodigal Son , found in Luke 15:11-32, is one of the most profound and well-known stories told by Jesus. It is part of a series of three parables (The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, and The Prodigal Son) that Jesus told in response to the criticism of the Pharisees and scribes. They complained that Jesus associated with sinners and ate with them, which, in their view, was unworthy of a religious teacher. Through this parable, Jesus reveals the loving, merciful, and forgiving character of God and contrasts it with the judgmental and exclusive attitude of the religious leaders. Cultural Context In Jesus' time, Jewish society was highly patriarchal and based on a system of honor and shame. The family was the central nucleus of social life, and respect for parents, especially the father, was considered one of the most sacred commandments. Therefore, any act that dishonored the father was considered extremely serious. The Parable Jesus begins the parable by saying that ...