part of the turn

I just finsihed reading Henri Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son. Nouwen was a Notre Dame, Yale and Harvard university professor, activist and author who withdrew from much of his public life in 1986 to become the pastor at a L’Arche community for the developmentally disabled near Toronto.

This book was written after and extensive speaking tour Nouwen had been on discussing the political and religous struggle that was taking place in Latin America at that time. After the tour, Nouwen was spiritually and emotionally exhaused. At the invitation of a friend he travelled to a L’Arch community in Frace for a time or recouperation. During his stay, he encountered a print of Rembrandt’s famous painting, “The Return of the Prodigal Son“. This book is a recolection of Nouwen’s journey of discovering the significance of both painting and the story.

The book can be read as a mediation on Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son. Nouwen explores how the story is a call for us to recognize that we are at times both the younger and older son and that are ultimate calling is to mature and take our place in the role of the Father.

Today I read:

Against my own best intentions, I find myself continually striving to acquire power. When I give advice, I want to know whether it is being followed; when I offer help, I want to be thanked; when I give money, I want it to be used in my way; when I do something good, I want to be remembered. I might not get a statue, or even a memorial plaque, but I am constantly concerned that I not be forgotten, that somehow I will live on in the thoughts and deeds of others.

But the father of the prodigal son is not concerned about himself. His long-suffering life has emptied him of his desires to keep in control of things. His children are his only concern, to them he wants to give completely, and for them he wants to pour out all of himself.

Nouwen achieved a great deal in his lifetime. He gained a lot of respect from a lot of influential people. It is very significant to me that his focus was moving from the always needy child to the all giving father.

In the closing pages of the book, Nouwen reveals that he believes the only way to grow into the compassionate, spiritual fatherhood that God desires for us all is to be immersed in the spiritual life of grief, forgiveness and generosity.

I recommend that if you haven’t read this book yet, pick up and copy and read it slowly, cherishing and mediating on each thought of a talented writer and deeply compassionate man.

Also see, The Core of My Spiriutal Struggle

Tags: books henri nouwen