Let the wicked forsake their ways,* and the evil ones their thoughts;
And let them turn to the Lord, and he will have compassion,*
and to our God, for he will richly pardon.
[The Second Song of Isaiah (Is. 55:6-11), BCP, pp. 86-87]
I am a prodigal daughter, standing in a sty, surrounded by pigs. This is the fork in the road. Do I perish here, soul and maybe even body? Do I walk the long road home, back to a mother and father who love me?
I’m not sure what I’m more afraid of – this barren wasteland that is my soul, or the life-giving home that will rescue me from this self-chosen living death.
If I go back, one thing I know: all bets are off. I’ll never be able to turn a prodigal away. All will be welcome. All who seek it will be restored.
[For the whole canticle, click Lent 2021 above.]