Goodreads synopsis: A chance encounter with a reproduction of Rembrandt's painting, The Return of the Prodigal Son, catapulted Henri Nouwen into a long spiritual adventure. In his highly-acclaimed book of the same title, he shares the deeply personal meditation that led him to discover the place within which God has chosen to dwell. This Lent course, which has been adapted from the book, helps us to reflect on the meaning of the parable for our own lives. Divided into five sessions, the course moves through the parable exploring our reaction to the story: the younger son's leaving and return, the father's restoration of sonship, the elder son's resentment and the father's compassion. All of us who have experienced loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger will respond to the persistent themes of homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation.
My rating: 5 stars.
Content warnings: G. None.
Thoughts: It's a lot shorter than I expected, but packed with powerful meditations, and well worth taking the time to read slowly.
Nouwen's thoughts on the Prodigal Son story, combined with his own experiences and reflections on the three main characters within it, are thought provoking and deeply touching. His words are gentle, but they can be convicting, and he speaks into many places in life a person might need to hear about the Prodigal Son story.
There were a few places I disagreed with what was said. Mostly I think in one place it wasn't worded as well as it could have been. But that happens with any theologically-oriented book I read.
Sometimes it does feel like it could be a little over-analytical. Like the common jab at English teachers for the "the curtains are blue because she's sad" thing. But at the same time, even if it was a bit over the top on the author's part, the observations about Christianity are still valid, and often times it is even supported in the painting he's analyzing.
I'm definitely going to reread this one. There's too much to be reminded of that I don't want to forget.
No comments:
Post a Comment