Advent Word: Confess

Day 11 of the Advent Word Calendar and today's word is 'confess'. To confess can mean to acknowledge guilt. It can also mean to declare faith in or adherence to something or someone, for example faith in Jesus or loyalty to him.

This photo of the painting 'The Return of the Prodigal Son' by Pompeo Batoni, shows a repentant son confessing to his loving father. It is based on Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son, found in Luke 15: 11 - 31. In my mind this 18th century painting shows the 2 meanings of to confess that I mention above.

Homeless, hungry and in desperation, after wasting his share of his father's wealth, the young man returns to his father to confess he has wronged him and feels unworthy to be called his father's son. He has enough faith in his father to hope to be taken on as a household or farm servant. The wide embracing arms of his father show the father's love and loyalty to the son he has never given up on.

What was the result of the prodigal son acting on his decision to confess his sin? It was music and dancing and feasting! The father threw a celebration party for his lost, but now found son. To confess to God or another person is hard. It takes courage and humility, but when to confess results in reconciliation and restoration of a relationship, it's worth it.

You can read other reflections on the prodigal son story in:

• Lost and Found
• Embrace

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons