Book Review: The Return of the Prodigal Son:
A Story of Homecoming
“I came to see Rembrandt’s Prodigal Son as, somehow, my personal painting, the painting that contained not only the heart of the story that God wants to tell me, but also the heart of the story that I want to tell God and God’s people.” ---- Henri Nouwen
Quite by accident, Nouwen came upon a poster of Rembrandt’s painting while visiting a friend in Paris. The painting, especially the father’s hands on the younger son’s shoulders, struck him deeply, and he later went to St. Petersburg to see the original. Over time, Nouwen came to see himself as each of the three main characters in the story. He thus divided his book into three sections: The Younger Son, The Older Son, and The Father, carefully analyzing not only the painting, but also his life as each of the sons and, ultimately, being called to become the forgiving father. Nouwen, who left a professorship at Harvard, eventually joined the L’Arche community for the mentally handicapped in Toronto. He came to realize that it was those men and women at L’Arche who blessed him with their hands on his shoulders, welcoming him home.
Through Nouwen’s story we are encouraged to see each character within ourselves and to feel encouraged to forgive and be forgiven. Very much recommended.
Reviewed by Ronald Yarger
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