Depths Of The Sea

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, and will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.  (Micah 7:14-15, 18-20)

Can we pardon sin, let go of anger, have compassion, and forgive ourselves for our wrongdoings?  According to Micah, God does, and so should we.   In a very symbolic way, we are to cast into the depths of the sea all our sins and those of others.  The sea is very deep with the average depth being 12,100 feet or 2.3 miles.   Pretty deep, dark, and cold.

According to Dante, “Satan has three faces and a pair of bat-like wings affixed under each chin. As Satan beats his wings, he creates a cold wind that continues to freeze the ice surrounding him and the other sinners in the Ninth Circle. The winds he creates are felt throughout the other circles of Hell.”  Hell isn’t hot, but cold where our sins should be: in the dark, cold freezer with Satan as their keeper.   Let’s leave them there.

Clemency and compassion are clear in the Gospel about the Prodigal Son.  “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)

All those who seem lost to us because they have hurt us badly in some way must be welcomed back, especially this Lenten season.   Otherwise, we leave them in the cold, dark sea.  Embraces and kisses are in order bringing them back to life; feeling the warmth of surface waters; and being celebrated.

Deacon David Pierce