Redemption
by Apostle D. Todd Christofferson
WHAT?
An example from Victor Hugo’s novel Les Misérables, though fictional, has always touched and inspired me. Near the beginning of the story, Bishop Bienvenu gives food and overnight shelter to the homeless Jean Valjean, who has just been released from 19 years in prison for having stolen a loaf of bread to feed his sister’s starving children. Hardened and embittered, Valjean rewards Bishop Bienvenu’s kindness by stealing his silver goods. Later detained by suspicious gendarmes, Valjean falsely claims the silver was a gift to him. When the gendarmes drag him back to the bishop’s house, to Valjean’s great surprise, Bishop Bienvenu confirms his story and for good effect says, “‘But! I gave you the candlesticks also, which are silver like the rest, and would bring two hundred francs. Why did you not take them along with your plates?’ …
“The bishop approached him, and said, in a low voice:
“‘Forget not, never forget that you have promised me to use this silver to become an honest man.’
“Jean Valjean, who had no recollection of this promise, stood confounded. The bishop … continued, solemnly:
“‘Jean Valjean, my brother: you belong no longer to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I am buying for you. I withdraw it from dark thoughts and from the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God!’”
Jean Valjean indeed became a new man, an honest man and a benefactor to many. Throughout his life he kept the two silver candlesticks to remind him that his life had been redeemed for God.1
1See Victor Hugo, Les Misérables (1992), 91–92
SO WHAT?
Les Misérables is, at its heart, a story of redemption. Bishop Bienvenu is a type for Jesus Christ and Valjean is everyman - and woman. We all have sinned, whether it be large, silver candlestick sins or small loaf of bread sins, and thus have fallen short of the Glory of God. We all need to be redeemed by our Savior and Redeemer, for we owe a debt to justice that none of us can pay.
But the allegory goes even further as Valjean examines his life. Remember his soliloquy? "What have I become? A thief in the night?" Valjean does make better choices in his life and, in turn, becomes a "savior" to many, including Fantine, Cosette, and Marius - even, to some extent, Javert.
NOW WHAT?
I have been saved through the blood of Jesus Christ. Do I now sit around on my laurels or do I gird up my loins, pick up my cross, and serve my Father's children with all the love within me? I believe the latter. I strive to do that and pray for continued strength and the ability to press forward in His service as His disciple.
Text copyright November 2013, Gebara Education
Pictures:
Valjean from www.cultura.blogosphere.it
Bienvenu from www.wikia.com
Valjean with candlesticks from www.catholicfire.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment