I Will Arise and Go

Posted On February 20, 2023

Luke 15:11-40

Throughout most of the Christian world, the season preceding the great celebration of the Resurrection of Christ is known as Lent. The number of days/weeks comprising that season may vary. However, the general meaning is the same. It is a period of repentance for us so that we may fully receive the power and joy of our Lord’s resurrection and participate in this newness of life.

Prior to the season of Lent, the Orthodox tradition, appoints a season known as Pre-Lent during which we are informed and guided toward an understanding of repentance.

On the first Sunday of Pre-Lent, we read the account of Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) and find that repentance is founded in desire: Zacchaeus had a desire to see Jesus.

On the second Sunday, we read the account of the Publican and the Pharisee (Luke 18: 9-14) and find that repentance is framed in humility: the tax collector was justified when he humbled himself and asked for mercy rather than standing proudly as the Pharisee.

On the third Sunday, we read the familiar and beloved story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-40) hearing that repentance is formed in return from exile.

Pausing here, let us be reminded that this 15^th chapter of Luke contains three (3) parables:

        Lost Sheep – the sheep was lost because that’s just what sheep do – they wander away.              

        Lost Coin – the coin was lost because its owner misplaced it, no fault of its own.

        Lost Son – the son was lost because he made a conscious decision to leave home.

Please note that in each case something was lost. And, when found, the response was joy. The shepherd rejoiced with the sheep on his shoulder. The woman invited her neighbors to visit and rejoice with her. The father said, “Let us make merry!”. Jesus added His words as well, “There will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents …” (Luke 15:7). He then said, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents …” (Luke 15:10).

Indeed, it may be said that the journey of the Christian leads to joy – joy is our destination – not a shallow, temporary joy, but joy that fills our soul to the depths of our being. It is being with God – “In Thy presence there is fullness of joy” (Ps. 16:11). Jesus said, “Well done, good and faithful servant; enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Mt. 25:21)

But we are also reminded that, before the joy, we experience the sorrow and suffering of being lost – separated from God. “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5)

Fr. Alexander Schmemann speaks of this in his book, “Great Lent”: “Anyone who has never had that experience, be it only briefly, who has never felt that he is exiled from God and real life, will never understand what Christianity is about.” We must come to the realization that we are lost and need to be found – to return to our true home.

This parable is such a powerful expression of the depth of “lostness” and the height of joy. (You may want to read the passage again here) Please join me as we turn our attention to this son – lost, then found. What happened to him may also find meaning in our lives as well.

Without really knowing what was going on in this young man’s (possibly a teen) mind, he had become fascinated with that “world out there and all it had for him”. Surely, it was overflowing with pleasure, fun, good times and freedom. So,         

• He loosed himself – Tore himself from his father, home, way of life…rejected it, broke the     bonds, and turned his back. Wanting to be free, he became a slave to himself, then to his things and then to others. We might certainly suspect that his father was reluctant to go along with his son’s plan, but he allowed him to decide for himself and find the consequences which would follow. He was indeed created a human person with the ability to think, act and feel. The loving father would not hold him against his will. So,

• He lost himself – Went into a “far country”- away from all the good he had known. He found himself surrounded by an unfamiliar culture, foreign ideas and differing ways of life. But, in an effort to “fit in” and “be accepted”, he tried it “their way”. He took the inheritance and wasted it (“diaskorpidzo”-scattered abroad), he scattered it foolishly and selfishly. Having wandered far away, he failed to realize that such separation causes our minds to become dull, our eyes dim, and our judgment unstable. He was alone, feeding the swine, willing to eat their food. He was more like the animals than like men. Sin turns men more to the animal (flesh) than to the father (Spirit). There was no one in sight who cared nor offered any help.  Here is a vivid example of the human condition – one we must reconcile and resolve. So,

• He looked at himself – For the first time, he looked within rather than at others. “I have taken the gifts of my Father…taken them far away and wasted them…not in my Father’s house nor in his honor.” Deep within he became homesick and realized (by the mercy of God) his own foolishness. His eyes were opened, he saw his failure and his heart was broken.  I am reminded of a song from a few years back – “Why Me, Lord?”

“Lord, help me, Jesus, I’ve wasted it so

Help me Jesus, I know what I am.

Now that I know that I’ve needed you so,

Help me Jesus, my soul is in your hand.”

I doubt whether anyone could adequately describe that scene at the edge of the pigpen. His greed was clearly visible and reflected in the swine at his feet. The memory of those in his father’s house was so different from those who had gladly spent his money with him and vanished when there was no more. No, back home, “they have enough and I perish with hunger”. (Luke 15:17) So,

• He lifted himself – “I will arise and go to my father…” (Luke 15:18). Everything in this parable – and indeed in our life’s journey – revolves around these words. He had had enough! Like David of old, “I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3). Here is the heart of repentance – the determination to return to God – to His embrace, the warmth of His love, the healing of His forgiveness, the joy of His presence.

No one could do this for him, nor for us…he loosed himself, he lost himself, he looked at himself. Now, he must lift himself.

We are all aware of the rest of the story. The son who was lost returned to his father to find no malice, no anger, no rejection …. but so much love and joy!

This will be our calling during Great Lent…through self-examination, fasting, prayer, repentance, confession – we lift ourselves (by the mercy of God) from our “far country” of wastefulness and return home into the waiting, loving arms of the risen Lord.

“I will arise and go to my Father…”

Fr. Andrew