HELLO!

On Tuesday, May 5^th at 7 pm I plan to host the first of three sessions, discussing the insights of author Henri Nouwen from his book “Return of the Prodigal Son”. The three sessions will mirror the three chapters of this short and accessible book, the first being the youngest son from the iconic Luke 15 story. On May 12^th we look at the eldest son and on May 19^th we focus on the father. On each Tuesday night we will move from: 1) Rembrandt’s experience to 2) Luke’s experience to 3) Nouwen’s experience to 4) your experience. As is my practice as a facilitator, I will offer a summary of the chapter, then ask others who have read the book to offer what I have left out and then open-up the conversation to everyone. There is no expectation for participants to have read the book.

Nouwen wrote the book about a period in his life when he was discerning the possibility of transitioning from a Harvard professor to a member of the L’Arche community. While traveling he came across a poster of the Rembrandt painting, depicting the Gospel story. He could not shake what he saw and how he felt. Finally, he arranged a visit to the art museum in Russia where the original painting resides. Knowing the staff, Nouwen was gained access to the painting by sitting in a comfortable chair for hours at a time, each day his sight trained on one of the three characters.

Rembrandt’s early life sounds a lot like the youngest son. By the age of 30 he was famous, rich, had a family. His paintings then, would often include a brothel, sensuous female characters, drunken crowds. As time passed, he went bankrupt, lost everything, his children would die young, his wife too. Biblical scholars remind us for a son to gain inheritance before his father died was to “wish the father dead”. This makes the sense of betrayal even more painful. Nouwen, though an eldest child who never broke the rules, can identify with the youngest son as one who leaves home (Holland) to seek validation, a sense of success and acclaim.

Nouwen contrasts what the Bible calls home, “they (the disciples) do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. Consecrate them in the truth”. Nouwen writes, “these words reveal my true dwelling place, my true abode, my true home. Faith is the radical trust that home has always been there and always will be there.” He adds at the end of the chapter, “the father couldn’t compel his son to stay home…I am loved so much I am left free to leave home”. Indeed, we all are. Peace, Kevin