|
|
|
The Prodigal Son Ocala Feb. 19, 2006 My Beloved. We know that when we want to learn or to do something, we work at it as much as we can, so that it can come easy to us down the road. Religion is no different. It must be our work to get as much from our Religion as we can. We know, that all of us seek to improve ourselves, which is the proper thing to do. We feed on our Religion to nurture our spiritual counterpart, our soul. If we don't feed our soul, we suffer from the effects of spiritual mal-nutrition, which translates in our being unhappy and surely unfulfilled. Of course, when we don't feed our bodies properly, we most assuredly suffer from physical mal-nutrition, which leads to all types of illnesses. The Holy Fathers of our Church sought every way possible to spiritual nourish us, and guide us, so that focusing our moral sight on the spiritual we gain our 20/20 spiritual vision. That is why, as an introduction to the Great Lenten 40 day period, commencing in two weeks, the Holy Fathers arranged the rotation of the Gospel readings, so that these would be the way for us to properly enter the Holy Lenten period, and thus be spiritual enriched. Last Sunday, we read of the arrogance of the Pharisee, who was condemned by the Lord, because he bathed in self-praise and thanked God, that he was not a sinner like the rest of the people, nor a sinner pointing to the Tax Collector in the corner, who was beating his chest with his head bowed, because he felt so unworthy to look up toward the Heavens. His remorseful feeling, was manifested by his repeating those beautiful words: "Lord, have mercy upon me, a sinner." Having justified the humbled Tax Collector, while condemning the arrogant Pharisee, the Lord declared to all those present: "He who exalts himself shall be abased, and he who humbles himself, shall be exalted!" Humility, of which we spoke last week, is the first stepping stone to reach spiritual heights. Today, we heard the Parable of the Prodigal Son, who as we know, sought life and happiness in a far off land, only to learn first hand, that true happiness was in the home he had chosen to desert. But, fortunately, like the Tax Collector, he humbly decided to make his return, and to be forgiven by his father. This humble return, is the second stepping stone to spiritual heights, where our Father in Heaven awaits us with open arms. Both the Tax Collector of last week, and the Prodigal of today's Gospel lesson, have one thing in common; that is, the decision to return to God, after a very sinful life. This decision is, what is lacking in the life of many Christians. To admit our sins, and humbly with contrition, to request God's mercy. When the Prodigal made his decision, he said: "I will go to my father, and I will say to him: `father, I have sinned against Heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son! Just treat me as one o€ your servants!' " Both, the Tax Collector, and the Prodigal son, brought to life that hidden treasure of humility, which prompted them to make their life-saving decision. As a result, they are rewarded with the assurance of their place in Heaven. To be sure the confession: "Father, I have sinned before you, and am not worthy to be called your son or daughter," must have been heard myriads of times from so many fallen Christians, but by simply confessing their unworthiness does not suffice. The decision, which follows, to make things right is that, which insures a happy and fulfilled life. But here is where people weaken. While they do acknowledge their sinfulness, they just do not follow through, so that by just admitting, nothing is accomplished. The Lord preaches to us nothing short of perfection. In Matthew, chapter 5, verse 48 He states: "Be ye perfect, as your Father in Heaven is perfect!" This should be the goal of all Christians. Perfection, --- which translates into peace, happiness, fulfillment and ultimately, salvation. Thus, all the Parables taught by the Lord are a map, from which we can chart our road to perfection. It is not difficult to parallel the Prodigal son's thinking with the life of so many Christians. The Prodigal's home was not fulfilling for him. He demanded from his father the portion of his future inheritance, to go make his life in a far off land. Far from home he would be free of troubles and obligations. As regards to the moral law --- well, --- that was not all that important! Living it up, consuming and enjoying life without barriers, was. Regardless of the consequences of such a decision. The illusive well being, and material happiness, was all important. So it is with so many Christians, deluding themselves, that apart from God one can achieve happiness. But, the opposite happens. These persons become rather self-centered, and attribute every success to self. We see men and women of science, and of the vast business world, who end up like the prodigal. They achieve success, and transform themselves into idols, often reasoning, that God is only for those of limited knowledge. Without realizing it, they border on atheism, because they have made a god of themselves. But, when the eleventh hour of their life is at hand, then comes the realization of their insignificance, and facing the unknown, they probably bring to mind the Almighty and All-wise and forgiving God, and perhaps, they may even faintly repeat: "Father, I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight!' St. Augustine, one of the great Fathers of the ancient Church, was stigmatized from his early years, for his wanton behavior. His immorality was consuming him. In Milan, he occasionally was attracted to go and hear the sermons of the renowned Bishop of Milan Ambrose. Gradually he seemed to be influenced, and sensed the loosening of the chains of immorality, which virtually had held him prisoner. He momentarily would think of his sinfulness; yet, the light of the Lord, had not illuminated his mind and his heart sufficiently to the desired degree. One day, while he was strolling through his garden, mysteriously he heard a voice saying to him: "Pick up the book and read." It was God speaking to his soul, in an opportune and timely moment. He hurriedly picked up the Bible, and when he opened it, providentially it opened on the page of St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 13, verse 12: He read this verse over and over: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of lights" That very moment he took the decision. He repented fully, and went on to become one of the great Fathers of the early Christian Church. But, it is not only the individuals who capitulate to a sinful life. Nations fall by the wayside, as we read from the Old Testament, when the Hebrews were subjugated each time by the external enemies because of their drifting from God, and had become decadent. As recently as the history of World War II, the seemingly invincible French army, with the touted Maginot line, was subjugated within two weeks by the German onslaught, simply because their spirit had reached a low ebb. The beauty, and the sublime teaching of today's Parable, is the humble and irreversible decision of the Prodigal son to return, and fall into his father's open arms, depictive of God our Father in Heaven, whose arms are always outstretched to receive the humble souls. The Lord said: "There is more joy in Heaven when a single sinner repents, than with ninety nine just persons, which do not need repentance." (Luke Chapter 15, v. 7). God forgives. But so many Christians do not forgive, and they emulate the older brother of the Prodigal, who would not forgive his brother, and complained to his father, that he treated the Prodigal son royally, who had wasted his life in so many sinful ways, whereas he, as a faithful son, was not given any such party. But, his father reassured him: "son," he said, "you were always with me, but now we should be happy and rejoice that your brother, who was dead, is now alive, and back in the family. It is not uncommon, to see self-righteous people, like the elder brother to comment and criticize prodigals, who turn around their life, and become model Christians, and truly God's children. These self righteous people, are so ready to condemn, and even express their thoughts saying: "Look at that hypocrite praying, and almost mocking God. We know what he or she was, and now we see them putting on their holy act!" These people forget, that remarkable scene of the Father receiving the Prodigal son and embracing him with showers of kisses. A true Christian, will never fall into the trap of the elder brother, because by doing this, he or she would be emulating the arrogant Pharisee, who was pointing his finger to the repentant Tax Collector, praying in the corner. So many repeat the Lord's prayer, but unfortunately repeat it automatically, without giving it, its proper substance and meaning. They just gloss over the phrases, like the one that alludes to this situation: ".....forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those, who trespass against us." We all look for bargains, when we are to make a purchase, especially if we follow the sales. Well, I personally think, that we should grasp the opportunity, with the approaching of the Holy Lenten period, to enter it, with as clean a heart as possible All of us fall short, and we can do a little better cleaning and dusting of our soul, which most assuredly will give us a tremendous uplift, and make us candidates for meeting our Lord with His open arms. Amen. +Fr. George Papadeas
|
|
Back to home page
Send mail to
epantaz@yahoo.com with
questions or comments about this web site.
|