The Prodigal Awakens - Fr. Micah - February 20, 2022

Today in the Orthodox Church is known as the Sunday of the Prodigal Son. The Gospel reading for the day comes to us from Luke 15:11-32. In this well-known parable, the younger son demands his inheritance from his father only to lose it through prodigal living leading to hunger. Hunger helps us realize we are not autonomous and need communion with others and God. The heart of Father Micah's sermon is when the younger son comes to himself. Before this, he was not present and asleep to reality. The parable reveals to us the path back to the Father's house. We must realize life to be an exodus from self into the promised land of neighbor and God. We must recognize our sinfulness, unworthiness, and repent. And we must trust in the Goodness of God as One who provides and nourishes.