Traditionally the Fourth Sunday in Lent has been a time to remember that
the discipline and somber tone of Lent is in preparation for the joy of Easter. We call it Rose Sunday or Refreshment Sunday. A little over halfway through Lent, it’s a time to look through Lent to Easter.
Once again this year, what has become an annual crane migration celebration at
St. Stephen’s in Grand Island falls very appropriately on Rose Sunday.
A couple of days of predicted warmer weather before the
weekend should bring more of the Sandhill cranes into our area by the weekend. St.
Stephen’s worship on March 10 at 8:00 and 10:30 is planned to help us celebrate
the wonder of the cranes’ return and to reflect on the spiritual meaning of
this and other wonders as we prepare for Easter.
Sunday’s Gospel text (Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32) is the parable of
the prodigal son. In this parable, the repentant prodigal son returns home,
where his father welcomes him warmly and extravagantly simply because this is
his long-lost son and he has come home. The parable illustrates God’s unconditional
love for all of God’s children; simply because we are God’s children, God loves
us and rejoices when we return to God.
The parent-child relationship is deeper and stronger than
any circumstances or conditions that strain that relationship. The prodigal son’s
father cares very much about this young man who has strayed, but has no special
concern for other young men who bear no relationship to him. We care most for
those with whom we have an established relationship. Going out and becoming
acquainted with the world around us, including the birds migrating through the
Platte valley in the spring, establishes a relationship between us and the
land, water, plants, birds, and other animals in our ecosystem. As we spend
more time outdoors, that relationship grows, and our care for the environment
deepens. Since all of this is God’s creation, strengthening our relationship with
the natural world around us also strengthens our relationship with God.
Weather permitting, the St. Stephen’s Green Team invites you
to join them on Saturday evening, March 9, at the Crane Trust Nature and
Visitor Center (just south of the I-80 Alda interchange) at 5:00 for a guided
footbridge tour to view the cranes on the Platte River at sunset. The tour is
open and accessible to everyone ages 12 and up. People are free to leave the
tour at any time, but cannot go back to the bridge once they have left. Cost is
$15 plus tax. These tours fill up on weekends, so reservations should be made
as soon as possible by calling 308-382-1820.
We will begin gathering at 4:00 for a short evening prayer service at
the nature center, either outdoors on the patio area behind the building or
indoors in their conference room.
