Many of us squander our 20’s making a mess of our lives, then
spend our 30’s cleaning it up.
With age comes maturity and with maturity, an inevitable re-setting of our moral compass. We learn to value those things we took for granted—love, trust, family. We become homesick, longing not only for the comfort of home, but for the values and relationships we’d left behind.
The Return of
the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming, by Henri J. M.
Nouwen, is 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, which
inter-weaves 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. And Nouwen's writing is so clear and his
tone is so appealingly 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.
Parable and painting are inviting us in, calling us to enter and
participate as one of the characters. Choosing to be part of the
story will allow you to become conscious of new connections in
our own personal life journey, and receive the necessary healing
to go into a deeper level of loving God, ourselves and others.
Something new will be born in all of us, different for each one.
You can
email Dr. Joelle at any time, leave a note or call
303-751-3330 with any questions that you may have.