Redemption

November 5Redemption,prodigal son statue,ivan mestrovic

I am thankful for redemption. Redemption is forgiveness for past wrongs or past sins. Redemption comes not through any great acts or deeds from ourselves but through grace. We must take the first step to ask for help or forgiveness and admit that we were wrong. But what follows is through no greatness on our own parts.

This is a photo of one of my favorite Bible stories which I happened upon accidentally while I was walking back to my car after attending the Louisiana Book Festival this past weekend. It was at the St. Joseph's Cathedral, Baton Rouge's iconic Catholic church. The statue is called "Prodigal Son" by Ivan Mestrovic (1883-1962), a native Croatian who has been called one of the greatest sculptors of the twentieth century. Of course the sculpture depicts the return of the prodigal son, one of the most famous parables in the Bible. The son ran away from home and wasted away his inheritance. He returned penitant to the open arms of his father who then had a party to celebrate. When the older brother complained to the father that he had always been there and had never strayed but did not get a celebration, the father's answer was "this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:32).

prodigal son

born normally

but rough and tumble he became

wasting away his skills

a selfish life of shame

personal gratification

he found his central aim

himself first, others at the end

all to push his own name

consequently as a result

of his hedonistic ways

he fell and fell far

a flash fire quickly ablaze

he came crawling back

aware of his past

forgiveness was given

because he had asked

thus it is so simply

but ego must be put away

for redemption only comes

with penitence when we so pray.

© rt tulley