LENT 40 days – Day 33
Scripture reading: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” Luke 15:21
His haggard appearance, worn shoes and wounded head remind us of the hardship and humiliation he experienced. The cloak, though worn, is a symbol of his past and identity, a reminder of the freedom he has lost and the muddy pig den he has fallen into.
The youngest son is kneeling on a stony surface, a symbol of his brokenness, humility and surrender. His position at the bottom of the painting, while the eldest son stands on a stage, indicates a lack of status and dignity. But even in his humiliation, we see an expression of repentance and hope for reconciliation.
In this time of LENT reflection, let us ask ourselves: how often do we experience the feeling of humiliation and loss of identity? How often do we also feel that we have committed an unforgivable sin and that we deserve to be rejected. How can we, like the youngest son, find a path of repentance and restoration through total surrender to God’s grace and forgiveness?
Prayer: Dear God, we acknowledge the hardship and humiliation we sometimes experience in life. Help us to surrender ourselves humbly into your loving presence and to walk the path of repentance and recovery. Amen.
Reflection questions:
- In what ways can you identify with the youngest son’s experience of humiliation and loss?
- How can we, like the youngest son, find a path of repentance and restoration through surrender to God’s grace?
- What can we learn from the position and attitude of the youngest boy in the painting, and how can it help us gain a better understanding of repentance and forgiveness?