As I was reflecting this past week on these Pre-Lenten Sundays that we began to celebrate last week, my thoughts came upon a very beautiful prayer that is read in some traditions by the priest during the Cherubic Hymn. In this pivotal moment of the Divine Liturgy, just before we bring the Bread and Wine to the altar table to become the very Body and Blood of God Himself, the prayers of the Church beautifully remind the priest about the humility of the publican and the deep repentance of the Prodigal Son:
“Like the Prodigal Son I have sinned against Thee O Savior. Receive me as I repent. With the voice of the Publican I cry out to Thee, take pity on me as Thou has on him, and save me O my God.”
The parable of the Prodigal Son is perhaps one of the deepest parables that our Lord taught during His earthly ministry. Inside this story, we can see glimpses of our own lives…of our own journey with our relationship with God. We hear of a young man receives an inheritance from his father, goes out to a distant country, and wastes it all in a mess of his own passions. Drinking, women, parties…the Prodigal Son blew through everything!
When it was gone, we hear how a famine hit the land, and in order to survive, the young man got a job on a farm and was sent out to go and feed the swine. It was there in the pig pen, that we hear 4 words which highlight the entire season of Great Lent. 4 Words that we have to continually embrace, day after day, regardless of what kind of life we have led up until this morning: “He came to himself”.
The son realized that this was not the way it was supposed to be. His life of prodigal living had destroyed him. All of his passions…all of that gluttony, entertainment, and lust for earthly pleasure, acted like a vicious drug that gives superficial enjoyment for a brief period of time, before leaving its victims in complete ruin!
There is a popular expression that I am sure we have all heard or used at some time in our life, in order to describe someone who is overcome with some kind of passion. When we read about someone who was so full of hate and anger, that they throw a fit at work or at home, we will sometimes use the expression that “they were beside themselves”. It is an accurate description, because that is exactly what happens to us when we “miss the mark” of our own lives through sin! We cease to be what we were created to be! We cease to be “ourselves”!
Anyone who takes a moment to examine their life for a few minutes, can prove this to be true. Most of us can probably remember a time when we spent a week (or maybe longer) over-indulging in a type of prodigal living: Over-eating…over drinking…participating in entertainment that is damaging for the soul. When we are in the midst of our over-indulgence, we feel pretty good about ourselves! But then, until shortly after, just like taking any other superficial drug, we crash. When wrapping ourselves in the world, becomes more important for us than being in the presence of a loving Father, we truly are living a life “beside ourselves.”
When we miss a Divine Liturgy (just ONE Liturgy) do we notice a change in our life? Do we feel that something is missing? Does it feel like a huge hole has entered into our hearts?
I see so often with mothers who have just given birth, or with parishioners that are bed-ridden or in a hospital, how difficult for them it is to miss a week or two of the Divine Liturgy. Some of the most beautiful moments I have had as a priest, is watching faithful men and women who are bed-ridden, partake of the very same Body and Blood of Christ that we all will have the tremendous blessing of having in a few minutes, and being brought to tears of joy, as they finally were able to “come to themselves”. They weep, as they finally enter into the Joy of their Father’s Embrace once again! This is what we all so desperately, especially as we near Great Lent: To come to ourselves, to finally say “enough is enough”, and to go back to living the holy life we were meant to live.
Our Father does not come down to the pig pen to drag us out. He waits for us to humble ourselves, and repent. He is waiting even now for us! When we finally decide to return to Him, how incredible it is for us to know that our Lord won’t stand there and say: “Hey, you hurt me with what you did.” He doesn’t say a word and instead throws a party! This is our Loving God! This isn’t Zeus waiting to strike us down with a lightning bolt! Our God is one of Love and compassion! One who is constantly awaiting our return, and One Who rejoices in all of those who are able to come to themselves, get out of the pen, and live once again in the joy of the kingdom!