The return of the prodigal son : a story of homecoming (1992)

Henri Nouwen, a priest and a contemplative writer, was deeply moved by a poster of Rembrandt's painting of the kneeling Prodigal Son (of the Christian parable) being embraced by his aged father. Nouwen set out on a pilgrimage to the Hermitage in Russia, where the original Rembrandt is kept. The result is this meditation in print. It is a paperback, but beautifully done: The cover extends into an overleaf, allowing the reader to gaze at the picture and the text at the same time.

Henry shows the love of God through the three people in this parable - Father, elder son and youngest son. In it, we see his journey and our own back to the source of love - God Himself and our worthiness in spite of our faults. ( )

Henri J.M. Nouwen meditates on the parable of the prodigal son’s return. This beloved author writes a spiritual adventure story. A chance encounter with a poster depicting a detail of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son set in motion a chain of events that enabled Nouwen to redefine and claim his vocation late in his life. In this book, he interweaves elements of art history, memoir, Midrash, and self-help. Nouwen brings the parable to life with empathic analyses of each character. Nouwen's absorption in the story (and the painting) is so complete that the father's challenge to love the son, and the son's challenge to receive that love, become Nouwen’s own. Nouwen's writing is so frank and humble that readers--no matter how far from home--will find hope for themselves in the prodigal peace Nouwen ultimately achieves. --Michael Joseph Gross

The beloved spiritual writer meditates on the parable of the prodigal son's return -- a powerful drama of fatherhood, filial duty, rivalry, and anger between brothers -- and its enduring lessons for Christianity

In this very personal book Henri discusses how Rembrandt’s painting of the powerful Gospel story resonated with him profoundly.

in the book, Nouwen quoted Kenneth Bailey that read:
“Kenneth Bailey, in his penetrating explanation of Luke’s story, shows that the son’s manner of leaving is tantamount to wishing his father dead. Bailey writes: For over fifteen years I have been asking people of all walks of life from Morocco to India and from Turkey to the Sudan about the implications of a son’s request for his inheritance while the father is still living. The answer has always been emphatically the same…the conversation runs as follows: Has anyone ever made such a request in your village? Never! Could anyone ever make such a request? Impossible! If anyone ever did, what would happen? His father would beat him, of course! Why? The request means – he wants his father to die.”

All the responses point us to the depth of the father’s love. Pride and anger would have stopped the father from receiving his returning son. Many earthly fathers could have long severed their relationship with such a wicked son but not this father. He did not allow unforgiveness and bitterness to deter him from reconciling with his beloved son. In fact, the word of God tells us that the aging father, upon seeing his younger son was moved to pity and he ran towards him. His love overshadowed any wrongdoing that his son had committed. Love truly covers a multitude of sins. He was determined to tell his son that nothing he has done will ever stop him from loving him. Since the day, the wayward son left home, his father’s hope for his return never dwindled. Love compelled the father to believe the impossible. Love compelled him to put away all pride and bitterness for all that mattered was his desire to see his son again. Love conquerered every conceivable human frailty and failure to reveal the undying love of our loving father who pursues us with His undying love.

When the prodigal son finally came to his senses, he returned home to his father with remorse and shame. He came to the end of himself; the party was over and his life with an utter mess and confusion. He made the best decision and that was to head back home. Deep in his heart, he knew that if anyone was going to rescue him at that unthinkable and deplorable state, that person was none other than his father. He had faith in His father. After hurting his father’s heart, it took the son tremendous courage and humility to make his way home. All pride and arrogance melted away. He gained freedom and hope in his father’s forgiveness and love.

Nouwen noted: “The immense joy in welcoming back the lost son hides the immense sorrow that has gone before.” Unspeakable joy overshadowed sorrow that glorious day when the loving father ran towards his son.

If the prodigal son had entertained fear and doubt, his return would not have taken place. He will be lost forever. Maybe he could end up dead, a vagrant or derange. He overcame because he did not dwell on his failure and loss. He put his complete trust in His father’s love. He was set free through his father’s love. ( )