Hungry for His Presence - Fr. Micah - February 12, 2023

Today on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the Gospel is read from Luke 15:11-32. Therein we hear the well-known, beloved parable of, The Prodigal Son. Father Micah shares insight into the Gospel and its profound effect on the history of the Orthodox Church. A father had two sons. The younger son disregards his father by asking for his inheritance, which he receives and leaves. He joins himself with a man to survive and is sent into the fields to feed swine. The pigs represent the passions which are sins we hunger for but cannot satisfy. The prodigal son realizes his true hunger is for the love of his father and returns home. The father, who represents God, is watching, waiting, and hoping for his son's return. The father runs, embraces, and kisses his son, who then confesses his sins and unworthiness to be his son. The son's confession comes after the father's embrace and acceptance and teaches us why it is necessary to receive the sacrament of confession. The older son experiences no joy when he learns of his brother's return and refuses to enter the feast celebrating the younger brother. Pride keeps the older brother away and is the passion that could potentially keep Orthodox Christians out of heaven.