As Rebels, Lord, Who Foolishly Have Wandered

Lectionary Series C had "The Parable of the Prodigal Son" as the Gospel lesson for the Fourth Sunday in Lent.  One of my favorite parables, we sang "As Rebels, Lord" as our sermon hymn at St. John-Amelith.


1.  As rebels, Lord, who foolishly have wandered
        Far from Your love--unfed, unclean, unclothed---
     Dare we recall Your wealth so rashly squandered,
        Dare hope to glean that bounty which we loathed?


2.  Still we return, our contrite words rehearsing,
        Speech, that within Your warm embrace soon dies;
     All of our guilt, our shame, our pain reversing
        As tears of joy and welcome fill Your eyes.


3.  A feast of love for us You are preparing;
        We who were lost, You give an honored place!
     "Come eat; come drink, and be no more despairing--
        Here taste again the treasures of My grace."