There once was a father

There once was a father who lived with his sons,

And hear how the story is told;

One son who took off with his share of the fortune,

One who did stay in the fold.

The one son who fled was in over his head;

His fortune and favor were gone.

So he lived in despair, feeding pigs for a living;

He lived hungry, cold, and alone.

 

He came to his senses and made up his mind 

That he would return to his home.

He would not claim sonship, but seek only labor,

No longer living to roam.

But soon came his father in haste and in love, and

Yearning to welcome him in;

Fatted calf, finest robe, a new ring and new sandals,

And soon the great feast would begin.

 

The son who had stayed heard the noise, saw the joy,

And he was in anger and sore

That father rejoiced for this derelict son

Who had been so reckless before.

The father replied, "yes, you stayed by my side,

And all that I have is for you,

But this son who was lost, who was dead, now is found safe,

And this we must celebrate too!"

 

There once was a father who lived with his sons

But did his sons now live with him?

One son who sought only to be hired labor,

One who was angry and grim.

Now this is the story, but what does it mean,

And what are we followers to do?

So pay heed to the Father who loves with abandon,

And wonder, which lost son are you?

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, March 2025, after Luke 15:11-32 (Lent 4C).

MUSIC: Tune SAMANTHRA, American folk melody.

 

A folk song to tell a familiar story and questions to end it without an ending.

 

 

A Vocation Song

What is a call? What does it mean?

            To take new roads, but sight unseen?

To find a path new and unknown,

            and know it's God's, and not my own?

 

To understand, we all should ask:

            Is there a joy in this new task?

Does this bring gladness to the soul?

            Can we rejoice to meet this goal?

 

But also ask ere we proceed:

            Does this help meet the world's great need? 

Can those who suffer want or pain 

            yet be made new and whole again?

 

We are not called to endless grief,

            nor only bliss beyond belief; 

Our call is where our joy complete

            and all the world's deep hunger meet.

 

 

TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, August 2022, after words

            by Frederick Buechner

MUSIC: Suggested tune O WALY WALY, English folk melody

 

 

I would be among those deeply affected by the recent death of novelist/essayist/Presbyterian pastor Frederick Buechner. I have most of this books and have probably quoted his works more in my sermons than any source other than scripture. It's probably not an accident that my writing has been stuck since his death was reported. One of his more famous sayings provided, after some extended reflection/wrestling, the text here. It's set to a familiar hymn tune because that's how I work, but my guess is that this is much more song than hymn.