Kindred in Christ,

Emmanuel Garibay, an artist from the Philippines, who happens to be Methodist, depicts the moment when the prodigal son returns home and is embraced by his loving father (Luke 15:11-32). I love this painting for many reasons. The tender expressions of their faces, the generous embrace of the parent, and the rest of the child captures well the experience of when we find our rest in God after losing ourselves for a time. Garibay titles this piece, Pagbabbalik Loob, which translates to “Conversion” or “inner change.” This is a reminder that conversion from sin (aka the way we tend to lose ourselves) is not about doing right or believing right (these are just the byproducts), but about allowing ourselves to be embraced and finding our rest in God once again.

Christopher Heuertz, author of the Sacred Enneagram suggests that inner healing or inner change feels less like doing “right actions” and more like “returning home.” With the help of the Enneagram, this Lenten season, we have been exploring together the different ways we tend to lose ourselves, and the power of self-reflection to help bring inner healing. This week, we will explore what it looks and feels like to undergo the grace of God, which returns us home.

Alongside you,

Rev. Paul Ortiz