As I reflected upon this Sunday’s readings for the Divine
Liturgy (Ephesians 5:9-19; Luke 12:13-21), Oscar Wilde’s great novel “The Picture
of Dorian Gray” kept coming into my mind. There are many parallels that come through
when we look at the two stories side by side. This morning I would like to pull
out a few points for us to think about and pray through in the week ahead.
In the novel, an artist name Basil paints this beautiful
picture of a young, handsome, man named Dorian Gray. About the time that he
finishes the painting a friend of the artist, Lord Henry, shows up and is intrigued
not only by the painting but the beauty of Dorian himself. Lord Henry tells him
that he needs to get everything out of life that he can get. Yes Dorian, Lord
Henry says “Live life to its fullest, all for the self and nothing else.” He
basically corrupts Dorian’s mind by convincing him that life is about his good
looks and being completely self-indulgent at all times. Very similar to the man’s
thinking in today’s parable who says, “What shall I do, since I have no room to
store my crops?’ So, he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and
build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods.” (12:17-18)
Yes like so many in the world today life is all about me, myself, and I. That’s
it and that’s all!
Dorian is then saddened and upset with Basil because he has
painted such a wonderful portrait of him and he will never look that good
again. He will begin from that very moment to grow old and tired, but the
picture will stay the same. Then comes the twist of the novel, Dorian exchanges
his body and soul with the picture. The painting will age and show the marks of
time, while Dorian will stay young and gorgeous. So, after a bit time, Dorian
does something nasty to someone and he looks at the portrait and sees that the
face has changed. It has a little different smile and a bit of a wicked smirk.
Dorian does not like what he sees, and he hides the portrait away from himself
and others. He then begins a corrupt and ungodly life like Saint Paul describes
in Galatians, full of “immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery,
enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit, envy,
drunkenness, carousing, and the like.” (5:19-21)
One day after living a long ageless life engulfed by sin, Dorian
sees the portrait of himself. He sees the wickedness of his own soul. Instead
of a beautiful young man looking back at him, like he sees daily in the mirror,
he gazes upon a decerped old man. One that is heartless and full of evil and
death. Dorian then so horrified by what he encounters, takes a knife and cuts
the portrait. Destroying it and himself at the same time. He could not bear to
see in vivid detail the person he had or had not become.
This story should teach us all a lesson. What if we could
look upon a picture of our soul, would we like what we saw? Could we bear to
see what might be before us? Would it be twisted and corrupt like that the
picture of Dorian Gray, or would it be shining brightly like the image that God
made us like? This is one challenge of being a Christian, looking at the life
that we are living and asking, “God am I living life fully for myself and my desires,
or am I living for you God and those around me. If not, Lord where do I need to
improve? What do I need to change in my life?” This is a process that must
begin with small steps. Go to confession, get your relationship with God back
on track. Restore the image that God put into your heart at baptism. Are there
problems at home in your marriage? Fix them next. Heal the relationships between
husband and wife. Then heal any bad relationships between father or mother,
with son or daughter. Ask the Lord himself, “Jesus send your divine grace and
healing into my heart, allow me to be a vessel of healing and restoration.” Our
lives must reflect what Saint Paul says today, “filled with the Spirit, addressing
one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody
to the Lord with all your heart.” (5:18-19) This means we must be in tune with
God and one another. Our lives must be like a symphony with all the parts
working together, not for our will and its desires, but in action for the will
of God alone.
In this coming week, do not be afraid, ask the great
question, “God am I in tune with you?” Think about the portrait of your soul.
Would you like what was looking back at you? If not the get to work on fixing
the problems. Make a plan of action and put that plan into operation. Let the true
image of God shine through you, “For the fruit of light is found in all that is
good and right and true and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians
5:9-10)
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