Henri J. M. NouwenThe Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

It is a quick read, but it has certain insights that completely change your perspective on how our daily behavior can show us how we perceive God.

In the Fall of 1983, Henri Nouwen fortuitously comes across Remembrandt's iconic "The Return of the Prodigal Son" painting, just like many of us. That is where the similarity ends. From there, it takes off into a deeper contemplation of the very parable with Nouwen's attention Argus-eyed on the trifecta of dramatis personae in this poignant story: (1) the younger son, (2) the elder son, and (3) the father himself.The summit of the Beatitudes is manifested in this parable. So, to have a sumptuous tour behind each of those three characters in a practical and reflective way, along with Nouwen, was the most enriching experience of reading this book. It was neither schmaltzy nor syrupy, at any point. With an inveterate command over the Classical Languages, especially Latin and Greek, the way he dissects some of the words (for e.g., son using the Greek original of teknon or genus for generosity), added more to the clarity of the central-point he was making, than watering it down with etymological trivia.References to The Bard's sonnets and maxims, besides Estonian and African proverbs were all adding more to the leitmotiv of the reflections. By intensely brooding over his own experience of seeing the original painting at St. Petersburg and applying its Gospel and visual message to his own life, it made it organically appealing to apply the same to one's own life by applying its transcendental and open-ended lessons. I think, as a reader, that was the biggest takeaway for me.I have two qualms about this current paperback edition, though:1. There is a notes' section in the back, which is pretty rich with references. I only wish, it was publicized properly, if not having footnote markers in the passage, in situ. So, please do not miss the notes' section at the last.2. The front-cover is printed in a way that it only shows 5 characters, instead of 6. As the whole tome is about the painting per se, I think, it is not impractical to expect that this artwork is provided to the best rendition possible on print.Overall, a wonderful book, for this Lent. I loved it.

Nouwen’s openness and vulnerability—his ability to reflect deeply on what it means to be human but also strive to understand God—makes this worth the read. A lot of interesting things for me to ponder as both a father and son. But, the beauty of this reflection is the universality of its message. I think anyone who reads it can glean some great spiritual truths and challenge themselves. I would recommend reading it with a lens of self-reflection: How are you the younger son, the elder son? How are you striving to be a spiritual father/mother?

My husband encouraged me to read this book. He is Catholic. I had misgivings because I align with evangelical Christian.This book deals with spiritual truths from Jesus's famous parable of the prodigal son's return (obviously!). Nouwen does so from a place of honesty and truth.I have a new book to recommend to any friend seeking to explore the prodigal son, the elder brother, and the father.

The tale of the prodigal son—who takes his inheritance early, leaves home, spends his inherited money in a life of debauchery, returns to his father’s house in shame, and is welcomed back with open arms—as told in Luke 15 is one of the most accessible of the many parables found in the New Testament. Its accessibility lies partly in its seeming simplicity (which it has in common with most parables), and partly in the power of a story of return. In this short book, Henri Nouwen, a Dutch-born Catholic priest who spent the last years of his life ministering to the L’Arche community for the mentally handicapped in Toronto, has explicated the story in light of Rembrandt’s painting “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” a painting that affected him so deeply when he first saw it on a poster in 1983 that three years later he arranged to sit before it for several hours where it hangs in The Hermitage in St. Petersburg.Nouwen nicely articulates a variety of lessons from the painting and the Biblical story it illustrates. He takes each of the major characters in turn: the younger son (rebellious), the older son (resentful), and the father (compassionate). From each of these, he draws lessons and insights, relating each character’s situation to his own. In the end, the most powerful and surprising insight for him is that he must become like the father in the parable, ready to bless and welcome without judging or punishing. He quotes Luke, chapter 6, verse 36: “Be compassionate even as your Father is compassionate.” (The King James Version uses “merciful.”) So in his reading, the parable requires more of the believer than simply turning back to God and accepting His compassionate, forgiving embrace—as appealing as that sounds. Instead (or, really, in addition), it requires action; it requires going beyond being the repentant, returning prodigal, and being for others the source of compassion, the safe haven that facilitates return. Both the rebellious younger son and the resentful older son need healing, which only the father’s compassion can provide.The story of the prodigal son has always been one of my favorites from the Bible. But as with most people, I suppose, my focus has always been on the prodigal son. He’s the one I could always identify with. Having read Nouwen’s book, I can see that just wanting rest, to be accepted, to be forgiven, is selfish in a way. We all need that, but we also need to make the effort to move beyond it, so that we can provide others with the comfort and the quiet strength that they need. Nouwen’s reading of the parable, and of the painting, is humble, humane, and insightful. I will understand the story differently the next time I read it.One note: I would recommend looking at a better reproduction of Rembrandt’s painting than the one on the cover of the book. Some of the detail, including one of the background figures, cannot be seen in the reproduction used here.

Excellent book

Um dos maiores livros jamais escritos. Todos que o lerem o terminarão muito melhor do que o começaram. A relação de filiação com o Eterno nunca mais será a mesma. Prepare-se.

I recommend this book so much!!!

Arriva direttamente al cuore e spiega in modo semplice l'immenso Amore di Dio per tutti noi. Non servono trattati teologici per avvicinare a Dio, basta la gratitudine di sentirsi amati così come siamo.

Es un libro precioso, todo el mundo debería leerlo.