Article March 16, 1929 Issue

The Prodigal's Return

MARY R. TOPHAM

How many times does the students of Christian Science, in his journey from sense to Soul, find himself returning to his Father's house after a sojourn in the "far country." Temporarily off guard, he finds himself feeding on the husks of selfishness, manifested in some phase of lack—lack of supply, lack of health, lack of companionship. And like the prodigal son, as related in the fifteenth chapter of Luke, he awakens to the need of divine Love's protecting care, and hastens to seek the divine guidance that will restore him to his rightful place in spiritual harmony.

His first thoughts upon awakening are perhaps those of self-pity, as he experiences the famine of material sense. Quite unconsciously he may have allowed the suggestions of evil to lead him away from the land of plenty, the kingdom of heaven; and as he remembers how well cared for are those who serve in his Father's house, he is filled with remorse and regret. But with an earnest longing to be shown the way back, he turns from these suggestions of evil, and the ever-presence of divine Love illumines his darkened sense, perhaps through words such as these in Proverbs: "By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life." Ah, what power has the humble spirit! Humility dissolves the barriers of sense; and as this divine quality comes to human consciousness, the first step toward the Father's house is taken.

At once one resolves to go to his heavenly Father and acknowledge his fault and say to Him, "I ... am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants." To be truly at peace with our Father-Mother God and worthy to serve Him seems enough; and one's thought turns to the life of Christ Jesus, who, as Mrs. Eddy tells us in the Church Manual (p. 41), "is the Ensample in Christian Science." By much prayerful effort we strive to emulate him in our daily walk and conversation by serving our fellow-men, thus proving the sincerity of our repentance.

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