Teachings of Jesus

The Fallen Man

So, the prodigal son “began to be in want, and he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.”

     The symbolism here is most interesting, for it perfectly depicts that state of humanity while in the “far country.” The “citizen” referred to means the attempt, on the part of the man, to find some cause outside of Spirit. Man seeks to league himself with material forces alone, not realizing that there can be nothing outside the Unity. Most of us seek the cause in the effect and unknowingly put the cart before the horse, not realizing that the flower is already in the seed, and that effects must follow causes. There can be no true alliance apart from life and no good apart from a unity with the Whole. “And he sent him into his fields to feed swine.” Jesus was a Jew. The Jews did not consider the meat of the swine lawful to eat; consequently he used this term to show how completely the prodigal son had fallen from his high estate – he must even be compelled to feed the despised swine. This demonstrated that his state of being was so low that it would be impossible for it to be any worse. It had reached the outer rim of reality.
Science of Mind