A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt’s painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, catapulted Henri Nouwen into a long spiritual adventure. In his highly-acclaimed book of the same title, he shares the deeply personal meditation that led him to discover the place within which God has chosen to dwell.This Lent course, which has been adapted from the book, helps us to reflect on the meaning of the parable for our own lives.Divided into five sessions, the course moves through the parable exploring our reaction to the story: the younger son’s leaving and return, the father’s restoration of sonship, the elder son’s resentment and the father’s compassion. All of us who have experienced loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger will respond to the persistent themes of homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation.Each session contained on the CD includes extracts from the book by Henri Nouwen, and background information about Henri Nouwen’s life, as well as suggestions for reflection. Notes for Group Leaders and written questions for group discussion are also included in the enclosed booklet.
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It's good to start by saying that Henri Nouwen was a Catholic priest so this book reflects that. While I haven't read much on Catholicism or books written by Catholics, I could see his way of writing creatively, even when it comes to theology, thus, to me, an evangelical, this book read more as a reflection of Rembrandt's painting than of the story of the prodigal son. The title is very misleading because there's too little about the prodigal and too much of the painting of Rembrandt. Leaving that aside, here is a quote that I still find puzzling even after having read the book: “Jesus is the younger son without being rebellious, he is the older son without being resentful, in everything He is obedient to the Father without being His slave, He is everything the Father says but this does not make Him His servant. He does everything the Father sends Him to do.” You can form your own opinion. He will talk about not just one prodigal, his views are interesting and unique, let me give him that. While I may not agree with some of his conclusions or the way he gets there, it was still fascinating to see that Biblical story through other lenses. I probably would not have chosen to read this book but a friend who attends my church said it's her favourite book. I get it now as she likes novels a lot more and I prefer more deeper theology and less fiction.
