The Journey of a Prodigal

As I began each book I look for nuggets that tell me "press on, this one is going to be good" or "this one wasn't really worth the money". This past week I picked up a book by a man who lived over 1000 years ago. I hestitated at the price but something within pushed me forward even with a mark up beyond the cover price. I wondered if I would be able to comprehend his thoughts and style of language since so much has changed since he physically lived on this earth, but I decided to take the journey. What follows is from the introduction of the book.


I sat in Misha's, a coffee house in Old Town, and began to read a very eloquent introduction to this man Bernard. The introductory writer is obviously a well read and scholarly man but besides that a spirit led man who brings forth truth through his interpretation of Bernard's writing.

Within the first few pages I came across this quote:

On the path leading back to God, the point of departure is humility and the point of destination is love. Both are a question of experience, then a matter of reflection, and at length become motivating principles put into practice. (Bernard)

Immediately the Lord brought to mind the prodigal. He reminded me of His point of departure back to the Father. A point that most would deem beneath themselves. A place of filth and stench. A place that would almost be embarrassing to mention in our culture given the often heard question of "So, where do you work?".

This man had reached the depths of humiliation and had come to this conclusion through the relentless inner working of the Spirit. He found himself lower than his father's slaves, dirty, broke and in need of mercy and grace. He found himself being led into humility. Bernard said,

Only the touch of the Holy Spirit teaches, and it is learned by experience alone. Let those who have experienced it enjoy it; let those who have not, burn with desire, not so much to know it as to experience it. (Bernard)

The prodigal had to learn humility the hard way. He had to go through so much to understand what the spirit's touch was like. He had to be brought to the end of his philosophy of life. His arrogance and pride had led him to a disgraceful act against his father. This act was followed by more acts of debauchery that even today bring forth condemnation from our society. A life that brings back memories of a quote I used as my "senior quote" for the year book:

Ain't no wrong now, ain't no right. Only pleasure and pain.(Jane's Addiction)

No right, no wrong, only pleasure and pain will follow me and my actions. No one will condem me! No one will praise me! But I will do what pleases me no matter the outcome! If it means DUI, overdose, a child out of wedlock or even death, I care not because it is all ultimately for my pleasure. This world will not restrain me from releasing the anger and pain within! It will only be used by me to bring about some form of self healing/gratification. But oh how far we prodigals must go to see the end of ourselves and find our grand schemes waisting away in the pig sty!

It truly is the experience that we must have to know the Lord. He knows best the way to teach us. Even if that means he watches us sink deep into depression and addiction. He knows the workings of our inner ears and eyes in ways that only he could. He instructs his spirit to teach, once the ears and eyes have been tuned. Teaching in a way that burns within. Teaching truth with such piercing accuracy that at our point of despair and delusion we run back to him for refuge.

All along the way the prodigal finds himself in active contemplation of the reception as well as looking back at what has transpired over the past few years. What will be said? Man i have screwed up! If only I can serve as a slave I will be better off. My brother is never going to let me live this down! I wonder if any of the old crew is still around? What will happen when he/she comes around? Did I really treat them that way? Will my family still love me?

This experience in humility with the Spirit leaves the prodigal with an expectation of experiences to come. If the spirit broke into his life in such dramatic fashion why would he not contiue to do so as he continues the journey home. Jean states:

The Experience is the culimnating point in the Christian life to which all the soul's progress must tend. As we grow in grace and learn to trust in the Lord, our experience of love increases until we come to feel God's kiss on the mouth. In the early stages of conversion, we approach the feet of the Lord; later we reach his hands; the kiss on the mouth is an experience reserved for those who have achieved perfection. (Jean Leclercq)

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Just imagine that as the prodigal returns and sees his father waiting for him, he drops and plants his face to the ground. The work of the spirit has brought the prodigal to the point of humility and an expression of love is flowing from his heart. Coming expecting nothing and having only a desire to be received and loved once again. He sits weeping as the Father runs to greet him.

The prodigal remains in this position for a few minutes and then he feels the presence of someone grabbing him under the arm in a way that expresses tenderness and compassion. His father is bending to help him from his humble place fully knowing that his child has returned not only in the physical sense but also with his heart.

As the prodigal lifts from the ground he is then grasped by the father with both hands on his arms. His face is still facing the ground but the warmth that the spirit is ushering in says 'It's ok my son, you are forgiven.' It's as if the spirit is lifting his chin to look into his father's eyes again. As his face lifts the father's hands reach out to graps his face. His palms touch the son's cheeks as his fingers lay on the side of his head. The father leans forward and kisses the son to show full the acceptance this son has been freely given.

The kiss is a sign of honor and intimacy. The prodigal has been perfected in his father's action. His heart is new, he can live free now. Free from the vices of the world. Free to serve without expectation. Free to love as his father has loved him. No hindrances because he has reached humble perfection in his father.

The prodigal has recognized his need and has found himself led into humility which has ultimately brought him to the point of Grace. Jean shares:

Man's end is to recognize truth, which is God. To do this he must be aware that his relationship with God is based on need. The obstacle to the relationship is pride; the remedy is humility. Grace is the condition for meeting God in Christ. The result is the esteem man places on his dignity, rediscovered in God's image. While self-ignorance and pride lessen man's worth, humility, which recognizes man's need as well as his capacity for God, reveals man to himself. In this way, he emerges from himself and ascends; he grows and reaches new dimensions of love, both for God and for neighbor. (Jean Leclercq)

So this Grace has allowed the prodigal to see himself as the Father sees him. He has a glimpse of the value he represents to the father. His heart is expanding. His capacity to love is expanding as well. Loving God, neighbor and himself is something new and enjoyable. It's a place that only the embraced beloved can be and is a place that he wants to remain. The Father has spoken, yet not with words but in ways that wash over the prodigal leaving him in a state of veneration.

Bernard shares that God

touches and excites the heart, communicating his love without saying much, for his effects speak of his presence. (Bernard)

his presence is what the prodigal had and still desires. He presses on seeking that experience of truth and love knowing that somewhere in the now God will show up and speak with his 'presence'. A presence that speaks only love and joy for the beloved.