The Prodigal Son
Categories: anxiety, feast-days, life
Date: 12 February 2012 06:31:13
Well, I have not spent my time in riotous living, well, not too much :) , but, on the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the fourth of the pre-Lenten Sundays in the Eastern Orthodox Church, I return to blogging. I think I've quoted this before, from the previous link, but I can re-read it constantly:
For those who have fallen into great despair over their sins thinking that there is no forgiveness, this parable offers hope. The Heavenly Father is patiently and lovingly waiting for our return. There is no sin that can overcome His love for us.
I was somewhat of a Prodigal, returning to church after an extended absence (3 weeks ago I stayed until the sermon; today I managed Matins and left just before Communion...). I had a bit of a rough Christmas / New Year, returning to the psych ward for 4 weeks due to anxiety, but amid the anxiety and stresses there was much to thank God for, which I will hopefullly write about soon. I resigned from my new job, after tidying up the work I had started, took a driving trip out to Broken Hill in the west of New South Wales (~1,120 kms from where I am in Sydney) which was amazing, and am now looking for a new job.
I look forward to catching up with all of your news. It may take me a while, and who knows when I'll next blog, but during a rainy Sunday afternoon (with plenty of towns in Queensland and New South Wales, and even some suburbs on the outskirts of Sydney, being flooded, they need our prayers and help) my thoughts came back to the Wibsite, and blogs on the Internet I read as well, and I remembered all you wonderful people.
Kontakion:
I have recklessly forgotten Your glory, O Father;
and among sinners I have scattered the riches which You had given me.
Therefore, I cry to You like the Prodigal:
"I have sinned before You, O compassionate Father;
receive me a penitent and make me as one of Your hired servants."