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"A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son catapulted Henri Nouwen on a long spiritual adventure. Here he shares the deeply personal and resonant meditation that led him to discover the place within where God has chosen to dwell..." Summary by New Oxford Review
Members of St. Mary's congregation and others from the community, led by Fr. Christian Rabone, embarked on a bookstudy of The Return of the Prodigal Son. The author, Henri Nouwen (1932-1966) was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. (Wikipedia)
Father Nouwen’s style of writing for this book was intimate, written in the first person, and smattered with emotion as he explored each character in the famous painting. Even more special was how he projected himself as the three most notable characters: the prodigal son, the father, and the elder son. The question begs: “Which character do you identify with at this present time in your life and which character would you like to imitate in the future?” Father Nouwen answers that question for himself in the end and invites his readers to do the same.
As a participant in the bookstudy, I entered into the class without knowing the true meaning of the word “prodigal.” I’ve read the scripture and heard the story all my life but just assumed that the term used to describe the younger son meant “adventurer” or perhaps “repentant” which seems to describe two extremes. According to www.thesaurus.com the word “prodigal” is synonymous with ‘wastrel’, ‘reckless’, ‘spendthrift’, ‘squanderer’; a far cry from the vision of a young maverick out to enjoy his inheritance or a repentant son who “sees the light” out of the goodness of his heart.
I will leave it to the readers to determine which characters’ actions/personality best describe their own in this moment of their lives and which character (younger son, father, elder son) might seem the better example to emulate in the future.
As for me, this classic Biblical story with its theme of repentance, forgiveness, and abiding love will be permanently tied to the image of Rembrandt’s painting. With each subsequent reading of the scripture or through each sermon heard, it will thus take on a life of its own and if I am attentive, should conjure up the theme of relationships and their fragility. I hope it becomes more than just an academic exercise for me.
Story of the Prodigal Son: Luke 15:11-32
