Journey with us this Lent as we read and reflect on Henri Nouwen’s most widely read book, The Return of the Prodigal Son
When I went to Saint Petersburg to see Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son, I had little idea how much I would have to live what I then saw. I stand with awe at the place where Rembrandt brought me. He led me from the kneeling, disheveled young son to the standing, bent-over old father, from the place of being blessed to the place of blessing. As I look at my own aging hands, I know that they have been given to me to stretch out toward all who suffer, to rest upon the shoulders of all who come, and to offer the blessing that emerges from the immensity of God's love.
- Henri J.M. Nouwen, The Return of the Prodigal Son
Journey with us this Lent as we read and reflect on Henri Nouwen's most widely read book, The Return of the Prodigal Son. We are very grateful to Brynn Phillips Lawrence who continues to offer her wise and gentle leadership to this community. Brynn has created a reading schedule which you will find posted in the "Pages" section of this blog.
The Return of the Prodigal Son can be purchased from our website.
February 8th, 2013 at 9:13 am
I started reading this book not long ago, but have not finished it. I woud love to participate in the book discussion. Henri Nouwen’s books have deeply affected my life and my spirituality. I look forward to participating.
February 8th, 2013 at 11:34 pm
Although I have read a number of Henri Nouwen’s books, this is one, believe it or not, I never read. Don’t know why! So, I have been looking forward to Lent this year in part so I can read this book. I have enjoyed past discussions, so I am looking forward to this one as well.
February 9th, 2013 at 7:35 am
I enjoyed Creative Ministry, and am looking forward to this journey.
February 9th, 2013 at 11:55 am
Received this book a few years ago from a partcipant in a Lenten sharing group which I moderated. Couldn’t get into it at first. Recently re-read it & recommend highly. Had many underlines of concepts which I need to meditate on. Looking forward to this. Thanks for providing this opportunity.
February 9th, 2013 at 4:00 pm
There are always new things in Henri Nouwen’s books for me to discover and this discussion helps a lot. I am printing out the reading schedule and look forward to rereading and reading all the entries and much reflection this Lenten season.
February 9th, 2013 at 4:02 pm
Looking forward to this Lenten discussion and rereading Henri Nouwen’s book. There is always something new for me to discover in his writing.
February 9th, 2013 at 11:22 pm
How do I enter this discussion?
February 10th, 2013 at 8:26 am
I have the book but have never participated in a book discussion before. Reading this invitation today, has opened up the pathway for me to follow as I journey in Lent. Thank you
February 10th, 2013 at 9:15 am
I am looking forward to participating too! I have ordered the book and is estimated to be delivered February 13. I’ve gone to retreats that have used The Prodigal Son as the theme, so this will be a treat for Lent.
February 10th, 2013 at 12:45 pm
I’m on a book search comittee for our book club and a summary or description ofThe Return of the Prodigal Son would be helpful, can someone suggest a direction where to look?
February 10th, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Hi Nouwen Fans,
I am co-teaching an Emmaus group class on “Life of the Beloved.” I am a huge fan of both of these books. Though I have read and re-read “The Life of the Prodigal Son,” I am looking forward to doing it with a group.
Thanks so much for offering this.
Larry Bartenstein
February 10th, 2013 at 5:13 pm
What a wonderful book. It is extremely powerful and I am so happy that I scrolled all the way on the daily meditation and saw this beginning. A quick question, am I imagining it OR wasn’t this book here once before? I seem to remember reading and posting commentaries. This could have been several years ago because years now fly by like months used to. This is so timely for me — and let us all pray that we are given the grace, and it is only God’s grace, to enable us to forgive more! BLESSED LENT …(although I had a Lent put on me during Advent and decided to be liturgically incorrect and celebrate Advent instead
but even for that journey we forgive to clean our hearts so there is room to feel His Presence. Rose.
February 11th, 2013 at 2:46 pm
Wonderful to hear so many excited voices. I’m looking forward to starting the discussion on Wednesday!
For those who have never participated before, simply come back to the discussion’s main page, http://wp.henrinouwen.org/rgroup_blog/ on Wednesday. You’ll notice a new post, which will start off the discussion. I’ll give a more detailed explanation of how the discussion will flow at that time.
Susan, you may have found your answer already, but below is the brief summary of The Return of The Prodigal Son, as found on the book cover. I hope it helps - just let me know if you have any more questions:
“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.
In seizing the inspiration that came to him through Rembrandt’s depiction of the powerful Gospel story, Henri Nouwen probes the several movements of the parable: the younger son’s return, the father’s restoration of sonship, the elder son’s vengefulness, and the father’s compassion. In his reflection on Rembrandt in light of his own life journey, the author evokes a powerful drama of the parable in a rich, capativating way that is sure to reverberate in the hearts of readers. The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation will be newly discovered by all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy, or anger. The challenge to love as the father and be loved as the son will be seen as the ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time, and here represented with a vigor and power fresh for our times.”
Looking forward to Wednesday!
Brynn
February 11th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
I too am thrilled that the Return of the Prodigal is chosen for Lenten reflections. I found the book several years ago in the store of Old St. Mary’s in San Francisco - and was extremely blessed by it. I was impressed with the journey of Dr. Nouwen as he contemplated this picture. It has opened many thoughts and reflections to me over the years and I welcome this opportunity to re-read it. Blessings!
February 11th, 2013 at 6:17 pm
In 2011 I was privileged to be part of a church reading group who studied The Return of the Prodigal Son for Lent. Our moderator printed a larger copy of Rembrandt’s picture which we used occasionally as a visual prompt for our discussion, it was quite stirring. I still have the book and the picture but I have moved to a very rural part of Virginia. I am anticipating that being a part of this online gathering will be a blessing! I am so looking forward to walking through Lent again with this book in hand.
February 12th, 2013 at 7:36 am
I am so looking forward to reading The Return of the Prodigal Son again. Each time I read I discover something new! Many thanks and blessings.
February 12th, 2013 at 8:42 am
Thank you for offering this forum for our Lenten meditation and discussion of Return of the Prodigal Son. I feel myself opening to receive the blessings it will bring.
February 12th, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Hurray! This is one of my favorite Nouwen books, which is saying a lot because I love them all
It’s been a couple of years since I have read it and I’m looking forward to re-reading it and sharing with all of you as part of my Lenten practice this year!
Blessings
February 12th, 2013 at 10:32 pm
Like so many of you, I am looking forward to rereading this amazing book. This looks to be an enriching experience with all of you. God bless you as you journey through Lent with Henri and all of us here as we read and share The Return of the Prodigal Son.
February 13th, 2013 at 1:36 am
I am a psychologist practicing in the UK as a cognitive behaviour therapist. i am also an academic working as Senior lecturer at the University of Surrey.
I came across Henri Nouwen when I was working in a residential therapeutic community in India many years ago. I have found the Daily Meditations email to be a source of inspiration and comfort. They remind me that love is the hallmark of Christian life.
I am an artist of sorts: www.artistsandillustrators.co.uk/nimmi
Dare I say that I find the Rembrandt painting of the Prodigal Son less inspiring than this one: http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.stjohnrctamworth.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/the-prodigal-son1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.stjohnrctamworth.org.uk/worship-and-services/the-prodigal-son-3/&h=450&w=535&sz=67&tbnid=GwA5D0a8FYVwNM:&tbnh=109&tbnw=130&zoom=1&usg=__mSPCpRQWGFrbGM_SUcsYXnq2Ru0=&docid=IIBxHut9EAGr4M&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tzIbUdeNGtGq0AWV9oCQDw&sqi=2&ved=0CFQQ9QEwBA&dur=144
In this painting above, the pain and suffering inherent in the father’s love is manifest, though not to the son. As a parent I know this yearning for the return of our child.
February 13th, 2013 at 5:53 am
I first came to know Henri’s works more than 15 years ago. The clarity and depth of his writing spoke to me in a visceral way. As I grew ‘to know’ him and then read “Wounded Prophet” I came to understand why I felt such a kinship to him. Oh, how I wish I could have known him. Yet, through his writings I do feel I have come to embrace both the man he was, the man he wanted to be and that is a blessing.
I have read Return of the Prodigal many times and have shared it with so many people. I have a beautiful print of Rembrandt’s work hanging over my bed…as a daily reminder of my place as a beloved child of God.
I live in West Virginia, USA. I saw my first Rembrandt in an art gallery at a college in South Carolina as a child. It was a portrait and I recall the eyes of the man. They seemed so real and so intense. I have been blessed to stand before The Nightwatch at the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam…to marvel at both the scale and intensity of the work. I think, for me, it is the layers of detail that capture my imagination. Always, there is the focal point of light that is intense and engaging but looking closer there are always seemingly unfinished or less noticeable figures and images in the background. It is as if we are invited to look more closely. I am eager to re-read and to come to a new and better understanding of Henri’s work through the eyes of others.
February 13th, 2013 at 12:40 pm
Have never participated in blogs, etc. Have a print of Rembrandt’s Prodigal approx. 16×20. Read book once but some time ago. Observing Lent is somewhat new to me but I look forward to participating and having Him draw me closer. Blessings.
February 13th, 2013 at 1:09 pm
Come on over to the new “Post” everyone! Click on the blue link at the top of this page that says “Feb 13th-17th: The Return of the Prodigal Son - Introductions »”
Or, go back to the home page, http://wp.henrinouwen.org/rgroup_blog/ to see the newest Post.
February 13th, 2013 at 3:11 pm
I am a relatively new Catholic (3 years at Easter) but long before I converted I found Henri Nouwen and my spiritual life turned upside down (for the good). I look forward to participating and learning with this group. I have seen some Rembrandt paintings (at the Louvre) but I am ashamed to say that art (paintings) have never spoken to me–not like music, and I do not know why. I can recognize shadow and light, darkness and I know I am looking at a master, but… I look forward to this journey into the scripture and art.
February 13th, 2013 at 3:55 pm
I came across this today when reading my daily Nouwen reflection. I read the Return of the Prodigal Son several years ago when I was struggling to forgive someone and I often go back to it when I need to seek forgiveness. I enjoy the daily reflection and have several of his books in my ’spiritual library’ right next to my computer at home ~ I often pull from my selections and he is always right on. I look forward to this Lenten journey.
February 13th, 2013 at 7:28 pm
I am very grateful that I receive the daily meditations and saw the information about this group and the readings. I have read The Prodigal Son many times as well as so many of Nouwen’s books. I am just finishing the new book ” Genius born of Anguish” . Somehow the journey depicted in this new book so links itself to the words he wrote in the Prodigal Son.
I am from Louisiana and my days are filled as Social Worker in the Field of Child Protection. I am a oblate of St. Joseph’s Abbey - a Benedictine Monastery. I am above all the son, the brother and the father in the parable on my own journey of longing, seeking reconcillation and conversion. Thank you for letting me be a part of this group.
February 14th, 2013 at 10:07 am
As I wrote earlier I am excited about reading thru this book. This is going to be a family effort as I am going to read thru with my son and both of my son in laws!! We are looking forward to this
February 14th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
This is a first for me. I was given a large print and it hangs in the wall of my prayer space. Hopefully the sharing ahead will help me to enter into it spirit in a deeper way. I am a pastoral associate in a large multicultural urban parish in the Brooklyn diocese.
February 14th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Hi Everyone,
Wonderful to read your posts… but please come over to the newest post so that everyone sees them!
Click on the homepage (http://wp.henrinouwen.org/rgroup_blog/), and make sure you enter the post right at the top of the page.
Brynn