Sunday of the Prodigal Son

[Mary Naeem]

Sunday of the Prodigal Son

And with our sins, even though we are Christians!

Theword ‘prodigal’ (ἄσωτος)comesfromtheverb ‘tosave’ (σώζω) and its negation, as is indicated by the alpha (α). After the fall, man finds himself in sin.Man’s purpose in this world, therefore, is to be savedfrom sin. Not simply for a few problems to be solved, a few difficulties fixed. Christ came into the world and took the name ‘Jesus’, which means Saviour. He came as the Saviour, to save the world from sin. Andwhenyoudonotthinkaboutsalvation, butdrowninallthese worldly things, then you live prodigally. It is not necessary for you to completely resemble the prodigal in the parable. As long as you spend your time in this world without concern for your salvation, you are prodigal.

What happened to the sin within you, my brother?Your soul, was it washed andhealedfrom the sin?Did you escape from sin?St. John the Evangelist and Apostle Paul tell us that, he who believes in Christ, who is grafted into Christ, and who is baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity–is baptized in the font and comes out a new man–has died to sin. Sin has no place in the saved man, i.e., in he who has died with Christ and is resurrected with Him.

We do nothing good when we become comfortable with things as they are: and with our sins, even though we are Christians. This will not work. And do not say: “Bah, man is weak”.Certainly man is weak. ButdoyoubelieveinChrist? Doyourun tohim? KeepHimwithinyou? IfyoubelieveinChristand He enters your soul and lives with you, he will heal you.It is impossible forChrist and sin to exist together within you.Man is not able to rid himself of even the slightest sin.Only Christdoes this work. And Christ will accomplish this in the man who entrusts his very being to Him. Otherwise, it is not possible for this to happen.