Preached at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement, Washington, DC
Occasion: Laetare Sunday – Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C (March 30, 2025)
Text: Luke 15:11–32

This sermon invites us to pause in the wilderness and sit with the often-overlooked pain of the elder son. On Laetare Sunday, a moment of rejoicing in the midst of Lent, we hear not only the story of the prodigal's return, but also the ache of being faithful, present, and unseen. Preached by J. Wesley Holcomb III at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Washington, DC, a historical Black Episcopal Parish, this sermon holds space for the wounded who remain, the weary who wonder if they’re forgotten, and the long-faithful who have not yet felt the joy. In the end, the parable opens the door not just to the prodigal, but to all who stand at the threshold of grace. The table is set. The invitation still stands.