Feb 25th - March 3rd: Prodigal Son - Part 1: The Younger Son’s Return
Reading:
3. The Younger Son’s Return
This week is a very important follow up to last week's exploration of our "leaving home" - disconnecting from our God, the source of life. In this week's reading Henri reminds us that no matter how far we have gone from God's presence we can always return.
1) God's love letter to us (his Holy Word) provides us with the truth that can lead our hearts home, if we take the time to listen to His voice... (p45)
a) What was the truth that the Prodigal Son clung to, which ultimately gave him the courage to return home to the Father?
b) What does the Word of God say about our position as children or heirs of God?
c) Think about the specific "voice" that calls you away, what does the Word of God say about the lie you are believing?
[For those who aren't overly familiar with the Bible, and aren't sure where to start, check out www.biblegateway.com - you can type in a key word (ex heir) and see what you discover. The Psalms are also a very good place to start.]
2) If, in our deepest selves, we are truly sons and daughters of God, what might be holding us back from turning and fully surrendering to Him? (see the top half of page 48).
3) Henri suggests that the Beatitudes offer us "the simplest route for the journey home, back into the house of [our] Father" (p49).
a) How do you understand the portrait of a child of God, as painted by the beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12? Some biblical research into the context and meaning of the words Jesus used here may well provide some powerful insights into our journey home.
4) In the last section of this chapter, "The True Prodigal," Henri explores how Jesus took the place of the prodigal on our behalf.
a) How does this inform your personal journey home, and/or your understanding of what Christ did for us on the cross?
Throughout these discussion questions I have encouraged you to seek the Word of God, because He tells us in Isaiah 55 that:
10 As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Many thanks everyone, I'm looking forward to another very important week of discussions.
Brynn
February 25th, 2013 at 10:34 am
Ah-ha! Found this to be true of me. Henri wrote (p.51); “It seems that I am perpetually involved in long dialogues with absent partners, anticipating their questions and preparing my responses. I am amazed by the emotional energy that goes into these inner ruminations and murmurings. Yes, I am leaving this foreign country. Yes, I am going home . . . but why all this preparation of speeches which will never be delivered? The reason is clear. Although claiming my true identity as a child of God, I still live as though the God to whom I am returning demands an explanation. I still think about his love as conditional . . .”
February 25th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
I leave “home” every time that I put my wants, needs, will first–not” Your will be done”, and “Whatever You may do I thank you.”
I know I have left home when the Self rules with anger, resentments, anxiety, doubt, self-pity, and depression. How to return—that’s the life-long giving it up to God’s grace and learning to trust it. I’m gaining so much encouragement and understanding from many of the posts already and am excited to be a part of this group.
February 25th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Have been reading and rereading Henri Nouwen’s words and reading and rereading the blog, trying to understand what “leaving home” means in my life and whether I can find some words in the writings to capture it. For some reason, which I don’t deeply understand, I seem to usually look for people to tell me I’m “thinking wrong thoughts”, my “ideas are lacking or wrong or miss the mark as to reality and truth of the situation”. Makes me feel stupid or at the very least unconfident of my own opinions, of who I am, of what gifts and talents I might have been created with. Over the years, have had to “get bolder” with ideas of some things I feel passionate about as doing something to really help someone but it’s very hard and I worry and fret afterwards whether I’ve been “wrong” in doing whatever I’ve finally felt compelled to do for justice reasons. I think the problem is in feeling more secure that I am hearing God’s Voice and not depending overly much on the many more limited human voices around me, it’s a worrisome problem when I so much want to live in agreement and harmony with all in my family, my church, my community. The Rembrandt picture also interests me. It looks to me like the younger son is burying his face into the Father’s stomach–not his chest–and for me it becomes a very maternal kind of Father and maybe a Father who would understand all my fears of being “wrong” so much of the time and welcome me back into a closer identification of actually being created in HisHer Image. Jesus tell us not to worry, that the lilies of the field and the sparrows are taken care of and God is taking care of us too but worry is the big thing that keeps on taking me “away from home” and which I really wish I could find some permanent solution to.
February 25th, 2013 at 8:36 pm
Response to Sharon K Hall: You, as Nouwen does so often, have expressed feelings and thoughts that are so like my own. From the beginning through the part about living “in agreement and harmony with all my family, my church, my community” are the same for me. I know I am overly concerned about what others think of me and feel physically ill if someone is upset with me. You have been a “little Christ” for me this day and have made me feel welcome and acceptable in this place.
February 25th, 2013 at 9:07 pm
Home…. To me perhaps the most profound of all words. The longing to go home is the deepest aspect of my life at this time. Prior to five years ago the concept of God, the indwelling in my soul of the one true thing, my place as a child of God , were non existant. Fifty Five years of living in a void. I functioned, I entered into a career as a social worker, found my advocation in Child Protection, got married, had a son, got divorced ,all the while never in right relationsip with anything I think. Then the fall, the loss and the pain that cracked opened something. From that point on the seeking, the desire, the one focused path became my journey. Reflection on the many grace filled posts has lead to thoughts about when I left home, was I ever at home and now this slow work of God to return to that which I never knew. For me it is clearly the ever present fear and haunting that I am not forgiven for all the harms I think I caused in my life is that which keeps slows my steps and journey toward the Father/Mother. The son that returned to his father in this parable was the Beloved Son. To surrender to that forgiven love( without believeing it ) and to breath in the state of being the Beloved are my struggles.
The post of all in this group are healing, giving and filled with God’s light. This indeed is sacred ground for the soul.
Namaste.
February 25th, 2013 at 9:20 pm
The teachings of Jesus called the Beatitudes, recorded in the gospels of Matthew (5:1-10) , are an invitation to a way of living that brings true happiness and both inward and outward peace. The beatitudes call us to a radically new way of being when we center our lives on God, and we become transformed. The beatitudes call us to true happiness and the deepest of joy as we find our true identity in our relationship with God and true peace both inwardly and outwardly.
Beatitude” is Latin for “an abundant happiness”. (V. Schurman)
February 26th, 2013 at 6:38 pm
Brynn, thank you so much for your very thoughtful reflection questions. I’ve found that although I’ve read and perused “The Prodigal Son”, by Henri Nouwen so many times, that your questions prior to revisiting brings it alive. It does take an exceptionally long time to get through the chapter because of them but well worth it.
Everyone’s intimate sharings are so helpful. It confirms that “we are all in this together” - even when it feels like the Titanic (and we’ve all been there, I can see the smiles).
February 27th, 2013 at 12:58 am
Another great chapter. Vin, I too underlined the same part “as though God is going to demand an explanation of me.” I also identified with p. 51 “long dialogues with absent partners… preparing my responses.”
p. 53, “Receiving forgiveness requires a total willingness to let God be God and do all the healing, restoring and renewing.” In the New Testament, there is a story about when Jesus is going to heal a man - can’t remember which Gospel and I couldn’t find it quickly. Jesus asks the man, “Do you believe in me?” and the man says, “Yes, Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” and Jesus still healed him. I found that such a relief when I heard this account in my young 20s.
I also appreciated p 49 where Henri talks about a friendship he had to leave because it took him off his centre with Christ. I too had to end a friendship about 4 years ago and it has caused me a lot of guilt - however, I could not grow to become healthy while I stayed in that relationship. It’s easy for me to feel I owe other people something, and I have to explain and justify when I put up a boundary.
One last thing I have been practicing even today, is I imagine a circle of God’s love, and I imagine myself in it. That helps me get right back to centre and claim my “daughtership” to Christ. When I imagine that circle, it reminds me that I’m already in it. I’m starting from a place of God’s grace and mercy. I just have to try to stay in the circle. If others want me to go out of the circle, I don’t have to go outside the circle to meet them.
So that’s how my wierd brain works. Hope it helps some of you!
February 27th, 2013 at 2:57 pm
Thank you Rose, for your encouraging words! And to everyone for your thoughtful and generous posts. It wouldn’t be much of a discussion without each of you.
What really stuck out to me from this chapter, is the reminder that we must choose between dwelling in darkness and living as heirs to the Father. Not to say that choosing God makes life perfectly safe, but that as we live in His presence we can trust that He works all things together for good (I cannot say I’ve arrived to this level of trust yet, but I know God intends it for me).
I would like to share a few verses that help me “return home” to God’s presence in my life. Maybe they will speak to some of you as well:
Jeremiah 17:7-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
8 They will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.”
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
he is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
he will quiet you with his love,
he will rejoice over you with singing.”
Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.
Romans 8:28,32
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
I could go on and on! I believe the Word of God has power to change our lives. Here are a few more, for those who want to look them up:
2 Timothy 1;6-7 (when I’m feeling timid)
Hebrews 13:5-6 (when I’m wondering about material resources)
Matthew 10: 29-31 (when I’m taking too much responsibility for the health/safety of others)
Romans 8:22-24 (a reminder that our salvation is a gift from God, not something to be earned).
Looking forward to hearing what God has stirred in your heart this week,
Brynn
February 27th, 2013 at 10:26 pm
Thank you for question 1b. Your suggestion led me back to Romans 8:15 and I too can claim my “daughtership” and return home with my brothers and sisters in Christ. These words spoke to me this time as never before! Almost as if I had never read it. I had such a new and pleasant feeling after reading the passage. He certainly stirred my my heart!
February 28th, 2013 at 12:00 am
My “leaving “ is my every day. I want to pray, to talk to the Father, to bask in the solitude he provides but I don’t. I am amazed by the time I waste when I could be talking to him in the stillness of my heart. My life has been a good life. I have been so blessed and so guided by the Father even when I have strayed. There is no reason to be a prodigal son. Why do I do this?
I read once that there is no word for the opposite of loneliness. I don’t believe that. I am hopeful because I have decided to believe that the Father is the opposite of loneliness and I see that in those around me when I look and listen. I hear that in all of you on our journey together. That is the truth that my prodigal heart listens to but I don’t know why my heart listens; that is why I keep coming back.
“The True Prodigal” at the end of the chapter was inspiring, thought provoking and very peace giving for me. Realizing that my sonship, my return and my home are one with Jesus gives me hope but I suspect that there will be many times I will forget this, many “leavings” on my journey. Please keep reminding me. Thanks all for your kinship. Peace to all.
February 28th, 2013 at 11:27 pm
I think we all go to “foreign lands” in our hearts and minds looking for that elusive unconditional love, the unconditional love that is actually with us all our lives here on earth - HIS love! Sometimes we have to get knocked off our horse to come to our senses and realize that HE is always with us, always there to pick us up and dust us off, ready to completely envelop us with His endless love. He will always welcome us back home with open arms if truly we repent and love Him with our heart and soul.
We must learn to truly trust in Him, to give Him complete control of our lives. Only then will we feel true peace in our real home - with Him. The door is always open, He is always waiting to welcome us inside. Will we enter? Can we leave go of all that holds us back in order to journey unburdened towards our final destination? So much joy and love awaits us there!
March 1st, 2013 at 3:41 am
The reflections on the Beatitudes have been really helpful.
I have alongside members of my house group, been reflecting upon transformation of self in small steps, during the period of Lent and understanding how we may take up our own cross.
God’s comfort is with us all in our own journey and spiritual development
It has been just lovely to read others’ journey and contribution on Nouwen.
March 1st, 2013 at 7:38 am
I leave “home” when I let myself get depressed about deeply missing my adult daughters who have actually left home. They are thriving in their lives yet I long for the times when we were together. These readings and this blog bring me back to true home and helps me re-balance to the care of the one whose deep love for me is greater than the love I have for my girls. Hard to imagine. Wonderful insight from all. Thank you!
March 1st, 2013 at 5:42 pm
What consistently brings me home are the scripture verses from Jeremiah. “I know the plans that i have in mind for you. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Then you will call to me. You will come and speak to me, and I will hear you. When you look for me, you will find me. When you wholeheartedly seek me I will let you find me. I will bring you back from captivity”. When these words burn in my heart, they dispel any fear, shame, or guilt that can detour me on my home.
March 1st, 2013 at 6:21 pm
First of all, Jody, thank you for your kind words from last week’s discussion.
Several years ago, I had a series of visions, more of very strong mental impressions of a scene than anything external. They were of, what I called, a deep water baptism. In the picture, I would walk out into a lake, up to my neck, then dip under the water. A pretty simple picture, but it scared me half to death. I didn’t like it at all when it came, yet I sensed God was trying to tell me something. Finally, I asked Him, “What is under the water that I’m so scared of?” And I distinctly heard, “The loss of all things.” I thought, at the time, that this sounded perfectly terrible, and nothing in me wanted to have anything to do with it. However, God likes to nudge and nudge and, eventually, one day, while away and alone, I walked out into a lake up to my shoulders and dipped under the water. After which nothing happened, for which I was grateful.
However, I have lived enough life to know that what God wanted from me was what Henri talks about when he speaks of the “bottom line” of the prodigal’s identity. My identity had been formed by fear. I had those ongoing conversations in my head trying to prop up my self-esteem or put the other person in their place, I had to make every effort to control everything and everyone so things were safe, I felt responsible for keeping everyone happy, I was hypervigilant of my surroundings and the people in it and I would mould myself like a chameleon to suit myself to those I was with so everyone else was happy, but all the while I felt like the “brat” my mother always called me, the one who was never good enough.
So I sat this week with Henri’s thoughts that there is a loving God at the centre of my being and I am fully forgiven, remade and lovable. That is who I really am. Henri truly stunned me by turning the table of my sense of myself as the prodigal who strayed way far from the Father and pointing out that the true prodigal was a Prodigal of goodness — Jesus, who took all His Father’s wealth and squandered it on us. My goodness, but I felt special. And as I let that new identity sink in deep, I found love bubbling up that is spilling over to others in my life. Am I still easily tipped off balance? You bet. But I also know where home is and I can also get back rather easily. And all those other things that I thought were me? I’m so glad God wanted me to lose those.
March 1st, 2013 at 10:38 pm
I just keep thinking about all of the voices that cause me to “leave home”. These are such blatant lies, but I spend a lot of time on attempting to meet the unrealistic expectations that the “voices ” suggest. For me, a lot of it has to do with feeling “good enough “, and Henri mentions this. “If you are educated enough, clever enough, trendy, (or not -trendy, based on who you are trying to please), make good money, have all of the answers, are perfect at your job, have lots of friends, are healthy, etc…THEN you will be good enough”.
The voices must be confronted with my own voice : “I am good enough. I belong to God “.
We call ourselves Christians …we aren’t acknowledging Christ ’s work on the cross when we try to find validation and affirmation from the world. As Henri mentioned, when the world has used you for it’s s purpose, you will be left completely empty.
I wish to remember my true identity : I belong to God. I do not have to prove myself to these internal and external voices. God, please help me to come home everyday.
March 2nd, 2013 at 10:48 am
Sharon , I can identify with you as I have struggled to feel good enough and acceptable throughout my 69 years. My mother’s refrains were “you are so sensitive ” or “you are never satisfied”. Now, I understand that only God can feel this deep void. I do love the concept of the of the Prodigal of Goodness who squandered His Father’s wealth on us. I will hold onto that as I travel back to my physical home in Montana on Tuesday.
Thank you all for sharing this Lenten journey of awakenings and deepening awareness of God’s eternal love for each of us as His cherished children.
March 2nd, 2013 at 3:53 pm
To Sharon and Jacqueline: I’m quoting Jacqueline here: “You, as Nouwen does so often, have expressed feelings and thoughts that are so like my own”. Thank you…both of you…. for your gut-level honesty which has touched my heart so deeply. It never ceases to amaze me how God uses this forum to help me to not feel so alone in my struggles. Sometimes I really do think I am the only person on Earth who thinks and feels as I do! It is more than a relief to learn differently.
I wanted to reply to you both….will post again to respond to Brynn’s reflective questions. Thank you also Brynn for the scriptures.. I had a very challenging week at work with some difficult people and needed to be reminded that God is my “strong tower” and with Him I am safe.
Be blessed everyone!
diane c.
March 2nd, 2013 at 4:09 pm
As I began reading this chapter, I thought about what it means to be homeless…which I do not have experience with, and I thought of the Prodigal Son, having a home, and desiring to return to it.
I believed that the Prodigal Son was more blessed than the homeless that I witness today as I drive through my town, because they have no where to return to tonight. But the Prodigal Son does.
And as I read further Home was his connection to his father. Yes, he squandered everything he owned, except for his sword, which gave him connection to his father. So, he decided to return to his home and his father.
Not only the sword propelled to go home, but the Truth that he was his Father’s son, given this grace by his Heavenly Father. It is God’s Word of love for all of his children that he bestows on the Prodigal Son.
God promises us that we can come to him, the Father, through His Son, Jesus. And we cling to this promise, and walk on in our faith.
Sometimes, and for me more than that, I fall off the path of Truth on my journey, and am drawn to the negativities of my life, the voices, the lies that i hear and have face. It takes alot grace, energy, and holding on to my faith, that I can retrace my steps, and find that fork again in the road, waiting to hear the Word of God calling out to me.
As for the homeless with no place to go home to, that is another journey i will need to take. For now, i will offer prayers for them at home, and in my faith community.
March 2nd, 2013 at 4:15 pm
This is my first timid entry into these discussions on Henri’s books. I have already been blessed by the comments of others—thank you! Henri came into my life almost 30 years ago and his writings have always offered valuable insights into where I am in my own spiritual journey. In the context of “lost” and “found,” like many of you. I can see that I leave home every day, when I do not make Jesus the centre of my life, but allow myself to focus on things of little or no value, or get caught up in negative emotions. My day always begins with a time of meditation and talking to Jesus. That gives me the start I need, but alas, as the day goes on, and almost without my noticing, I am drawn away to less worthy pursuits. I am beginning to see that I need to work more diligently on that returning home…spend more time at the end of the day determining what I need to change/eliminate to begin to feel that I have indeed returned to the Jesus I follow, to the God I worship.
March 2nd, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Thank you, Marianne, for suggesting Psalm 139. It has many great verses in it with so many powerful insights. And yes, I do knit and enjoy the creativity of it and its ability to relax me.
This chapter (3) touched me in so many ways (even the second time around). I marked so much on these pages; I’m not sure what to share. On page 50 Henri states, “Constantly I am tempted to wallow in my own lostness and lose touch with my original goodness, my God-given humanity, my basic blessedness, and thus allow the powers of death to take charge.” For many reasons, I do not feel worthy and forget that God has created me in His Love and His Image. I need that constant reassurance that He is always there. As I try to find a reason for all these struggles, I wonder if they aren’t there to help me to grow into the person God wants me to be. It is dark, like a seed in the soil: dirty, wet, and cold. Not until the seed dies can it come to life to become what it is supposed to be. I need to let go of the things holding me back from God and let those things die so I can rise up through the darkness to reach towards the sun, the Son of God. It is so hard to let go of what we know, even if it’s not good for us. And hence, Psalm 139 is fitting reminder for me.
As I read everyone’s responses up to this point, I couldn’t help but be amazed how much I related to all of them. Thank you Brynn for the Bible verses, they are all very comforting. The one that spoke to me most is Zephaniah 3:17 “he will quiet you with his love,” addressing this internal chatter so many of us have.
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:36 pm
Thanks to all of those that have posted such wonderful reflections this week.
When I first read this book in 2004 I was the prodigal son that had left home and I was still living in a distant land. At that time Nouwen’s question, “Do I want to break away from my deep-rooted rebellion against God and surrender myself so absolutely to God’s love that a new person can emerge?” (p. 53) touched my heart and became an important contributor to my decision eleven months later to change my life and return home.
Rereading this book now after returning home, accepting forgiveness, and reclaiming my sonship is a blessing–a beatitude. As someone that struggled and succumbed to self-destructive thoughts and actions, I finally recognized that, as Henri writes, “This painful, yet hopeful, experience, brought me to the core of the spiritual struggle for the right choice.” And I can attest, “Indeed, it is a question of life or death… We must choose.”
The example that Henri presents is powerful–a comparison of two of Jesus’ apostles. “Judas betrayed Jesus. Peter denied him. Both were lost children.” That’s true, as far as it goes. Jesus was ready to forgive them, as he is ready to forgive us. In just a few words, Henri teaches us volumes about life. “Judas chose death. Peter chose life. I realize that this choice is always before me.” Jesus calls us to choose life–to return from the distant lands and accept our inheritance in the kingdom of God. And as Henri points out, Jesus shows us the way. “…Jesus himself became the prodigal son for our sake… All of this he did… as the obedient son, sent out to bring home all the lost children of God.”
To choose to return home to the love of God is to choose life as it was meant to be lived. It is a choice that is ours no matter how far from home we may be. We can always choose to return and God will welcome us home. I know. I’ve been to a distant land and back.
Peace and all good.
Ray
March 2nd, 2013 at 11:37 pm
For me, the beauty lies with the willingness of the father to give the prodical son his inheritance, and allows the son the freedom to squander it. This demonstrates the unconditional love which remains in the memory of the prodical son, and this memory also gives the encouragement to return.home. Although I wish that I personally never left home, I believe that in returning from eating with the swine, I appreciate and trust the Father ever so much. The father has shown me the beautiful fabric of belonging to His family.
March 3rd, 2013 at 3:18 pm
Brynn’s prompt asking us to “Think about the specific “voice” that calls you away, what does the Word of God say about the lie you are believing?” On this Sunday, just coming from a beautiful service and homily, I see clearly the lie that I believe….that when difficulties and struggles arrive it means that God has abandoned me. I understand intellectually that I have abandonment issues stemming from my childhood circumstances, but despite this knowledge, I still struggle to believe the beautiful words of Psalm 27:
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.”
I am 57 years old…when will I “get” this?? Sigh.
But the Word of God is so powerful……
“But this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, His mercies are not spent; they are renewed each morning” Lamentations 3:21-22
I have always been struck by the part of the parable that tells us that the father saw the son from “a long way off”. As a mother, this little detail is so powerful to me. It tells me that the father never stopped looking…he was scanning the horizon for a glimpse of his son. This image just pulls at my heart and makes me so aware and in awe of the love of God….always yearning for my return no matter how many times I leave because I am convinced of the lie that I have, once again, been abandoned.
Brynn…thank you for pointing us towards the Word of God, where we can find and embrace the truth of His unconditional and steadfast love.
Peace to all
diane c.
March 3rd, 2013 at 3:53 pm
Mary (March 2 @ 11:37 p.m.)
Thank you for sharing your insight about the father’s unconditional love in giving the son the gift of his inheritance and the freedom to do with it as he pleases. This gives me a new perspective on this powerful story.
My wife and I assist teenagers preparing for Confirmation. We often tell them, “Everything we are and we have is our gift from God. What do with those gifts is our gift to God.” Based on Mary’s insight, I can now see that these “gifts” are our “inheritance” and we have the “freedom” to choose what we do with those gifts. And if we choose badly, we can always return “home” because God’s love is unconditional.
I’m already looking forward to next week.
Peace and all good.
Ray
March 3rd, 2013 at 9:39 pm
These two weeks have been a wonderful expression of honest sharing and encouragement. Many many thanks to each of you. I have no doubt that the weeks to come will be equally rich.
As we move on from the story of the Younger son, let us remember… that we are “the prodigal son/[daughter] every time [we] search for unconditional love where it cannot be found” (p39).
I’d like to wrap up this week with some words from the apostle Paul, reminding us in no uncertain terms, that the unconditional love we seek is available to each of us, if we choose life in Christ:
Romans 8:38-39 (NASB)
38 “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
It is a good one to memorize - nothing can separate you from the love God has for you.
Brynn
March 4th, 2013 at 5:12 am
Reading about the Prodigal Son is interesting. I feel right now like I have more questions and that there is a puzzle of missing pieces in front of me. The reading kinda out of sorts.
The truth that the Prodigal Son held onto is that he did belong to his father. He ultimately figured out a way to return to the father, however, with the expectation of some sort of punishment. I find myself doing the same. The anticipation of punishment itself keeps me from the belief that God would want anything to do with me and totally surrendering. The thought of punishment replaces God’s love. That in and of itself keeps me at a distance from God. Nouwen addresses this head on. When reading the beatitudes I think of the Litany of Humility.
My thinking is getting stretched when reflecting on how the son hugging the father could mean a return to the womb. God as father and mother, interesting. Jesus as a prodigal son, again, interesting. Yes, Jesus took on our sins, yet, Jesus was sinless, he committed no crime. Jesus leaving home, yes, his physical home, yet Jesus always knowing he belonged to God. I find myself thinking as the book has said the Elder Son was thinking when he heard of the Prodigal Son returning.
Sharon’s post about her visions is interesting and I like the way Sharon refers to her visions as “strong mental impressions.” I’ve read various books and attended various workshops along this topic.
What about God’s justice? What about all we have done that has distanced us from God? Is it about letting go? Is it about God’s mercy?
These are just a few questions that I am left with after this reading.
With the job I have, I see people who struggle to pick up the pieces of broken lives. I think of myself and how I too have done things that I will be held accountable for. All I can depend on is God’s mercy.
I continue to sort through my thoughts and feelings and move forward with the next reading.
Carol
March 4th, 2013 at 1:23 pm
What the Prodigal son in the story needed was food. He was starving and no one in the far away country even noticed him. In this deep need no one gave him even pig food… Recognizing his own need and seeing no one offered a solution in the foreign land…. then he remembered the abundance of food in his Father’s home-even for the servants. That which I desperately seek is readily available at my true Home and nowhere else. God’s children are co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Christ suffered being the prodigal son -as we do. He experienced the pain of feeling of being hungry, thirsty, lonely, and rejected. My need to be praised, look admirable, earn my place in life, being accepted by others, and having friends… these needs all called me away from God’s grace. God’s grace says, “You, my beloved daughter Sharolyn, are enough just as you are hungry, thirsty, and needed.
On the cross Christ exclaimed, “Eloi, eloi, lama sabachthani?” which means “My God, My God , why have you deserted me?” Is this not the deepest authentic, shared human experiences -to feel the total rejection of God, all the while God is standing ready to lovingly embrace us and welcome us home.
March 4th, 2013 at 1:42 pm
Many thanks again to all for such a great week!
I’ve closed this post, so come on over to the new one: http://wp.henrinouwen.org/rgroup_blog/?p=326
Fell free to share more thoughts from this week, but please do so in the new post.
Brynn