From the Friars: The Journey Home
The recent popular movie “The Odyssey” has people talking again about the ancient Greek epic poem by Homer that was written around the seventh or eighth century B.C. The fact that it is still so popular with the public and still studied by students of literature confirms that the story resonates with something that is deeply human. A pagan myth, the adventure is replete with Greek “gods” and “goddesses” playing important roles.
But many have also recognized themes like those of the true story of our redemption in Jesus Christ. C. S Lewis saw in The Odyssey a profound “Pre-Christian myth,” an example of a “good dream” sent by God to prepare the world for the Gospel. He studied it throughout his life. J.R.R. Tolkien learned to love literature by reading Homer. He also translated and studied The Odyssey in great depth. Lewis compared King Caspian’s island-hopping journey to the trials of Odysseus. The character of Aragon in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy has been recognized as also similar to Odysseus, both wandering and exiled kings who are returning to their faithful wives and to reclaim their throne.
The differences are many, but it is striking to see the themes from The Odyssey that parallel the life of Christ. Like Penelope, the Church is the faithful bride of Christ awaiting the return of her spouse. He is the warrior King who will return to separate the faithful from the rebels. As Odysseus was recognized by his scars, so will Our Lord return in His glorified humanity with His wounds from the Cross still visible.
Interior view of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, by Serge Melki CC BY 2.0, Link
Above all, The Odyssey is a story about nostalgia in the classic sense of the word. It was formed by two Greek words: “nostos” meaning returning home or homecoming, and “algos” which means pain or ache. The aching desire to return home is in all of us whether we realize it or not. “He has also set eternity into the human heart.” (Eccl 3:11) Our longing to return to a place or times that we hold dear point to the truth that we come from God and are returning to Him.
Far from a frustrating desire to be shunned, it should be fostered to become our greatest and strongest yearning.
And Jesus is the goal and the Way Home.
Fr. Peter