今天是父亲节，这是一个庆祝父爱的特别日子。借此机会，我们重温《路加福音》15章中著名的“浪子回头”的故事。这段经文不仅展示了一个父亲对儿子的无条件的爱，也让我们思考在现代社会中，父亲角色的重要性和无私奉献。

经文概述

    《路加福音》15章的故事讲述了一位父亲和他两个儿子的故事。小儿子要求分家产，离开家后挥霍无度，最终沦落到饥寒交迫的地步。他决定回家，请求父亲的原谅。父亲看到他回来，不仅没有责备，反而满怀喜悦地欢迎他，并为他举行盛大的宴会。大儿子对此感到不满，但父亲温柔地解释了庆祝的原因：因为“你这个兄弟是死而复活，失而又得的。”

现代父亲的角色

    在现代社会中，父亲的角色也至关重要。他们不仅是家庭的支柱，也是孩子们的榜样和信仰导师。然而，许多父亲在忙碌的工作和生活中，可能会忽视与孩子的情感连接，也很少去考虑自己的信仰以及由此而来的价值观、人生观给孩子带来的影响。父亲节提醒我们，父爱如山，默默无闻但坚定不移。

1. 无条件的爱：故事中的父亲展示了无条件的爱。无论孩子走多远，犯了什么错，他始终敞开双臂，欢迎他们回家。现代父亲也应如此，用宽容和理解对待孩子的错误和叛逆，给予他们改过自新的机会。
2. 勇敢回归：对于每一个迷途的孩子，这个故事是一个鼓励。无论我们在生活中犯了多大的错误，都可以选择回归家庭，回归正确的道路。现代社会充满了诱惑和陷阱，但我们应记住，家永远是我们的避风港。
3. 彼此理解：故事中的大儿子感到被忽视，这反映了现代家庭中常见的兄弟姐妹间的竞争和误解。父亲温柔的回应提醒我们，家庭成员之间应多一些理解和宽容，共同分享爱的恩典。
4. 传递爱与信仰：父亲节不仅是庆祝父亲角色的日子，也是传递爱与信仰的时刻。父亲应通过自己的言行，将爱和信仰传递给孩子，教导他们在生活中坚守正直和善良的原则。这种传递不是“言传”而是“身教”。

父与子的感悟

    在这个特别的日子里，让我们感恩父亲的辛劳和付出，无论他在哪里，做儿女的也需要给予父亲以理解，毕竟每个人包括我们自己都不是完美的人。进一步说，甚至有一些家庭的父亲甚至因着自己‘不成熟’的思想和行为给孩子造成了难以挽回的伤害，这些伤害可能需要子女倾其一生的精力去弥补创伤，在今天这个特别的日子里，祝愿这些‘孩子’尽早摆脱这些伤害给现今生活带来的束缚和捆绑，回归属于自己被神带领的快乐人生路。也祝愿更多的父亲回归圣经教导，以无条件的爱对待我们的孩子和家人，当然，做到这一切的前提应该是善待自己、顺服神的带领。
    回想我刚做父亲的那些年里，自己更像是一个摆脱父母‘辖制’的大孩子，沉迷于交往‘狐朋狗友’（我妈的原话），追求‘吃喝玩乐‘，遇到工作中的问题愿意靠自己的酒量去‘化解’......。在那些‘身强力壮’却头脑空空的日子里，从不愿相信还有一位圣灵可以在我的生活中起到‘四两拨千斤’的作用，直到自己遇到了无法用自己所谓智慧和酒量解决的问题后才愿意在祂面前降服下来。成为祂的儿女后，我也有了一位天上的父亲，直到那一刻我感觉那才是我做实际生活父亲的开始，知道了作为父亲这一角色的责任所在。
    愿每一个父亲都能在神的爱中找到力量和智慧，成为家庭中的坚强后盾和快乐家庭的带领者，活出快乐、轻松的人生状态。
    让我们一起祷告！

（如有建议敬请留言讨论，邮箱：[email protected]）

Revisiting Luke 15: A Father’s Love Is Like a Mountain, the Way Home

Introduction

Today is Father’s Day—a special day to celebrate the love of a father. On this occasion, we revisit the well-known “Prodigal Son” story in Luke 15. This passage not only displays a father’s unconditional love for his son but also prompts us to reflect on the vital role of fathers in modern society and the selfless devotion they offer.

Overview of the Passage

The story in Luke 15 recounts the relationship between a father and his two sons. The younger son demands his share of the inheritance and leaves home, where he squanders his wealth in wild living until he ends up in dire straits. Finally, he decides to return home and ask for his father’s forgiveness. Rather than rebuke him, the father joyfully welcomes his return with a lavish feast. The older son feels resentful, yet the father gently explains the reason for the celebration: “For this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

The Role of the Modern Father

In today’s society, the role of the father is equally crucial. Fathers are not only the backbone of the family but also role models and spiritual mentors to their children. Yet many fathers, caught up in busy work and life, may neglect the emotional bond with their children and give little thought to how their own faith—and the values and worldview derived from it—affects their children. Father’s Day reminds us that a father’s love is like a mountain— steady, unassuming, but unwavering.

1. Unconditional Love: The father in the story demonstrates unconditional love. No matter how far a child strays or what mistakes are made, he always opens his arms to welcome them home. Modern fathers should likewise treat their children’s missteps and rebellion with compassion and understanding, offering opportunities for repentance and renewal.
2. Courage to Return: For every wayward child, this story serves as encouragement. No matter how grievous the mistakes in life, one can always choose to return—return to the family, return to the right path. Although modern society is rife with temptations and pitfalls, we must remember that home will always be our safe haven.
3. Mutual Understanding: The older son’s feelings of neglect reflect the common competition and misunderstandings among siblings in many modern families. The father’s gentle response reminds us that family members should show more understanding and forgiveness, sharing the grace of love together.
4. Conveying Love and Faith: Father’s Day is not only a celebration of the father’s role—it is also a time to pass on love and faith. Fathers should, by their words and actions, transmit love and faith to their children, teaching them to uphold principles of integrity and kindness. This transmission is best accomplished through example rather than mere words.

Reflections Between Father and Son

On this special day, let us be grateful for the hard work and sacrifice of our fathers. No matter where they are, children must offer understanding—after all, none of us is perfect. In some families, fathers—even through their immaturity or misguided actions—have caused irreparable harm, injuries that may take a lifetime to heal. Today, may those “children” break free from the bondage and burdens of past wounds and return to the joyful path that God has set before them. And may more fathers rediscover biblical teaching and treat their children and families with unconditional love, which, of course, begins with treating themselves well and submitting to God’s guidance.

I recall the early years of my own fatherhood—when I felt more like a big child breaking free from my parents’ “control,” indulging in the company of “hooligans” (in my mother’s words) and pursuing “food, drink, and fun.” I would sometimes try to “solve” work problems by relying on my own drinking ability… In those days, even though I was physically strong, my mind was empty; I was unwilling to believe that the Holy Spirit could play a “leveraging” role in my life. It wasn’t until I encountered problems that I could not resolve by my so-called wisdom or alcohol that I finally humbled myself before Him. After becoming His child, I came to have a Father in heaven—and it was at that moment I truly began to understand my responsibilities as a father.

May every father find strength and wisdom in God’s love, become the steadfast support of their family, and lead a life of joy and ease.

Let us pray together.