Honest Moments of Christianity
But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have bread enough and to spare, but here I am dying of hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you." ' (Luke 15:17-18)
These words of Jesus Christ from the Bible describe an honest moment. "When he came to himself" ... the honest moment of a son who had been living a misguided liberal life but has now decided to return home to his father.
The parable of the prodigal son was one of several parables Jesus is said to have voiced in answer to Pharisees and scribes who had abandoned their peace because he was eating with those they had condemned as "sinners." The scribes and Pharisees viewed people who had sinned as having rendered themselves forever unclean, doomed to hell and unworthy of fellowship. Jesus considered those he was eating with to be brothers and sisters who had made mistakes and whose mistakes did not call for condemnation, but for forgiveness and further opportunity to correct themselves.
"Sin" was a ancient term used by archers. It meant "missing the mark," or "mistaken aim." As spiritual beings, sparks of the infinite spiritual fire of existence, we have as a function of the fullness of life a constant guidance of spirit which provides perfect aim.
“God is the giver of the Life. He will direct you VERY specifically.... It is quite possible to listen to God’s Voice all day without interrupting your regular activities in any way. The part of your mind in which truth abides is in constant communication with God, whether you are aware of it or not." (Quotes in blue in the body of this article are words of Jesus Christ himself from his modern revelation for the 21st Century: A COURSE IN MIRACLES.)
But wait! There are other voices: "It is the other part of your mind that functions in the world and obeys the world’s laws. It is this part which is constantly distracted, disorganized, and highly uncertain." In a touching scene from a current film, a mother tells her wayward and troubled son that he has many voices pulling him in many directions, but there is only one voice he should be listening to. She places her hand on his heart and indicates his inner spiritual voice. (We recommend the superbly crafted movie Do You Believe?)
So we are all prodigal sons when we are not listening to and following the guidance of the truth within us, and are thereby making mistakes in our aim. Jesus forgives us. Our infinite spiritual existence forgives us. The only lack of forgiveness comes from mistaken minds, Pharisee-type minds who gain ego satisfaction by judging people to be "sinners." Yet in the end even those minds are also happily forgiven.
But at some point it becomes apparent to all of us prodigal children that there is no deep and lasting satisfaction to be gained by not listening to or not following God's guidance, and in fact such mistakes always inevitably lead to feelings of sadness and emptiness.
"He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven."
So in moments of honesty we cry to the universe "help me." And in each honest moment we almost hear again the universe's ever beckoning request: "come home."
"A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return although you do not recognize the Voice, nor what it is the Voice reminds you of."
We finally make the decision that going home is what we really want. We don't know the way home, but no matter, we've identified our deepest desire. And it also doesn't matter how far distant from home we might feel. As Jesus explained in his parable, our spiritual father sees our decision to come home, and rushes to welcome us.
"God’s welcome waits for us all, and He will welcome us as I am welcoming YOU.... "This son of a loving father left his home and squandered everything for nothing of any value, though he did not know its worthlessness at the time. He was ashamed to return to his father, because he thought he had hurt him. But when he came home the father welcomed him with joy, because only the son himself was his father’s treasure. HE WANTED NOTHING ELSE. God wants only His Son, because His Son is His only treasure."
We are welcomed with all the love in the universe, and then Our Father guides us the rest of the way back.
"He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home."
All of this "when he came to himself." Jesus Christ smiles when we experience honest moments, wouldn't you say?
If you would like to be alerted when these messages are published please visit A Course in Miracles Discourses on Facebook. You'll not only be able to read interesting articles, but also reply and comment. Fun!
"...nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)
Click below for more information on A Course in Miracles Light Sessions:
Holy Instant Christian Fellowship in Salt Lake City
The parable of the prodigal son was one of several parables Jesus is said to have voiced in answer to Pharisees and scribes who had abandoned their peace because he was eating with those they had condemned as "sinners." The scribes and Pharisees viewed people who had sinned as having rendered themselves forever unclean, doomed to hell and unworthy of fellowship. Jesus considered those he was eating with to be brothers and sisters who had made mistakes and whose mistakes did not call for condemnation, but for forgiveness and further opportunity to correct themselves.
"Sin" was a ancient term used by archers. It meant "missing the mark," or "mistaken aim." As spiritual beings, sparks of the infinite spiritual fire of existence, we have as a function of the fullness of life a constant guidance of spirit which provides perfect aim.
“God is the giver of the Life. He will direct you VERY specifically.... It is quite possible to listen to God’s Voice all day without interrupting your regular activities in any way. The part of your mind in which truth abides is in constant communication with God, whether you are aware of it or not." (Quotes in blue in the body of this article are words of Jesus Christ himself from his modern revelation for the 21st Century: A COURSE IN MIRACLES.)
But wait! There are other voices: "It is the other part of your mind that functions in the world and obeys the world’s laws. It is this part which is constantly distracted, disorganized, and highly uncertain." In a touching scene from a current film, a mother tells her wayward and troubled son that he has many voices pulling him in many directions, but there is only one voice he should be listening to. She places her hand on his heart and indicates his inner spiritual voice. (We recommend the superbly crafted movie Do You Believe?)
So we are all prodigal sons when we are not listening to and following the guidance of the truth within us, and are thereby making mistakes in our aim. Jesus forgives us. Our infinite spiritual existence forgives us. The only lack of forgiveness comes from mistaken minds, Pharisee-type minds who gain ego satisfaction by judging people to be "sinners." Yet in the end even those minds are also happily forgiven.
But at some point it becomes apparent to all of us prodigal children that there is no deep and lasting satisfaction to be gained by not listening to or not following God's guidance, and in fact such mistakes always inevitably lead to feelings of sadness and emptiness.
"He goes uncertainly about in endless search, seeking in darkness what he cannot find; not recognizing what it is he seeks. A thousand homes he makes, yet none contents his restless mind. He does not understand he builds in vain. The home he seeks can not be made by him. There is no substitute for Heaven."
So in moments of honesty we cry to the universe "help me." And in each honest moment we almost hear again the universe's ever beckoning request: "come home."
"A memory of home keeps haunting you, as if there were a place that called you to return although you do not recognize the Voice, nor what it is the Voice reminds you of."
We finally make the decision that going home is what we really want. We don't know the way home, but no matter, we've identified our deepest desire. And it also doesn't matter how far distant from home we might feel. As Jesus explained in his parable, our spiritual father sees our decision to come home, and rushes to welcome us.
"God’s welcome waits for us all, and He will welcome us as I am welcoming YOU.... "This son of a loving father left his home and squandered everything for nothing of any value, though he did not know its worthlessness at the time. He was ashamed to return to his father, because he thought he had hurt him. But when he came home the father welcomed him with joy, because only the son himself was his father’s treasure. HE WANTED NOTHING ELSE. God wants only His Son, because His Son is His only treasure."
We are welcomed with all the love in the universe, and then Our Father guides us the rest of the way back.
"He will take you to His home, and you will stay with Him in perfect stillness, silent and at peace, beyond all words, untouched by fear and doubt, sublimely certain that you are at home."
All of this "when he came to himself." Jesus Christ smiles when we experience honest moments, wouldn't you say?
Each month our Holy Spirit gives a message which helps individuals open spiritually and understand Jesus' teaching.
If you would like to be alerted when these messages are published please visit A Course in Miracles Discourses on Facebook. You'll not only be able to read interesting articles, but also reply and comment. Fun!
"...nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21)
Click below for more information on A Course in Miracles Light Sessions:
Holy Instant Christian Fellowship in Salt Lake City
