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The Return of the Prodigal Nouwen

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Gordon Cotterill

The document discusses Henri Nouwen's interpretation of Rembrandt's painting "The Return of the Prodigal Son" and how it relates to Christian spirituality. Specifically, [1] Nouwen saw the painting as conveying that we are all beloved sons and daughters of God, [2] the painting explores the perspectives of the younger son, elder son, and father figure and their experiences of loss and redemption, and [3] Nouwen believes we should emulate the father's hands that forgive, console, and offer celebration.

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Key Theme Nouwen put his stamp on Christian spirituality by conveying his understanding of the belovedness of God, that we are the beloved sons and daughters of God.
Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming 1983 encountered Rembrandts Return of the Prodigal Son 1986 St. Petersburg - Hermitage Museum Love and forgiveness as unconditional theme from the angles of the younger son, the elder son, and the father.
The Return of the Prodigal Nouwen
The Younger Son Luke 15:11-32 What words would you use to describe the younger son? When you think of prodigal what questions do you have? How prodigal are you?
Younger Son What is our seduction trap? What is our far off land?
The Far off Land The far off land for us is subtle? The need to prove that you are something That you are not lovable unless you earn it
How prodigal are you? How much time is wasted on Wondering why someone hurt me; rejected me; didnt listen to me? Day dreaming of power; influence? Being afraid of being disliked, blamed, put aside, passed over, ignored, persecuted? Developing strategies to defend myself? Assuring myself of the love I think I need and deserve? All contribute to a move away from my fathers home
What do you see in Rembrandts lost son? What words describe the Son? What had happened to the son in the distant country? What happens to us in our far off country? The prodigal had to lose everything to come in touch with the ground of his being
I observe people who seem to be better off than I. I wonder how I can get to where they are. I try hard to please, to achieve success, to be recognised. When I fail, I feel; jealous or resentful of these others. When I succeed I worry that others will be jealous or resentful of me caught in this tangle of needs and wants, I no longer know my motivations my heart grows heavy. My body is filled with sorrows. My life loses meaning. I have become a lost soul. The younger son became fully aware of how lost he was whatever he lost he still remained his fathers child. Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp49
The Elder Son Luke 15:11-32 What words would you use to describe the elder son?
The Return of the Prodigal Nouwen
What do you see in Rembrandts Elder Son? What was going on in this mans mind and heart? Parable of Lost Sons? How do you feel about identifying with a man with deep resentments, who constantly alienates people by his arrogant behaviour?
It is hard for me to concede that this bitter, resentful, angry man might be closer to me in a spiritual way that the lustful younger brother. Yet the more I think about the elder son, the more I recognise myself in him Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp69
Lostness in the Elder Son Did all the right things Obedient Dutiful Law abiding Hardworking Respected Admired Praised Model son Outwardly faultless Proud Unkind Selfish Resentful Judgemental Condemning Prejudiced Angry
What does more damage lust or resentment? Deeper complaint comes from a heart that feels it never received what it was due
I tried so hard, worked so long, did so much, and still I have not received what others get so easily. Why do people not thank me, not invite me, not play with me, not honour me, while they pay so much attention to those who take life so easily and casually? Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp72
The Father Luke 15:11-32 What words would you use to describe the father?
The Return of the Prodigal Nouwen
What do you see in Rembrandts father? Difference in the Hands? masculine/ feminine; supportive/comforting; caressing/ holding Safety warmth of the cloak? Son held to the heart of the father
Hands that forgive, console, heal and offer celebration must become my own Nouwens Conclusion
I stand with awe at the place where Rembrandt brought me. He led me from the kneeling, dishevelled young son to the standing, bent-over old father, from the place of being blessed to the place of blessing Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp138
The Return of the Prodigal Nouwen
Christ has nobody on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which is to look out Christs compassion to the world. Yours are the feet by which he is to go about doing good. And yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now. (attrib. St. of Teresa of Avila)

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The Return of the Prodigal Nouwen

  • 1. Key Theme Nouwen put his stamp on Christian spirituality by conveying his understanding of the belovedness of God, that we are the beloved sons and daughters of God.
  • 2. Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming 1983 encountered Rembrandts Return of the Prodigal Son 1986 St. Petersburg - Hermitage Museum Love and forgiveness as unconditional theme from the angles of the younger son, the elder son, and the father.
  • 4. The Younger Son Luke 15:11-32 What words would you use to describe the younger son? When you think of prodigal what questions do you have? How prodigal are you?
  • 5. Younger Son What is our seduction trap? What is our far off land?
  • 6. The Far off Land The far off land for us is subtle? The need to prove that you are something That you are not lovable unless you earn it
  • 7. How prodigal are you? How much time is wasted on Wondering why someone hurt me; rejected me; didnt listen to me? Day dreaming of power; influence? Being afraid of being disliked, blamed, put aside, passed over, ignored, persecuted? Developing strategies to defend myself? Assuring myself of the love I think I need and deserve? All contribute to a move away from my fathers home
  • 8. What do you see in Rembrandts lost son? What words describe the Son? What had happened to the son in the distant country? What happens to us in our far off country? The prodigal had to lose everything to come in touch with the ground of his being
  • 9. I observe people who seem to be better off than I. I wonder how I can get to where they are. I try hard to please, to achieve success, to be recognised. When I fail, I feel; jealous or resentful of these others. When I succeed I worry that others will be jealous or resentful of me caught in this tangle of needs and wants, I no longer know my motivations my heart grows heavy. My body is filled with sorrows. My life loses meaning. I have become a lost soul. The younger son became fully aware of how lost he was whatever he lost he still remained his fathers child. Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp49
  • 10. The Elder Son Luke 15:11-32 What words would you use to describe the elder son?
  • 12. What do you see in Rembrandts Elder Son? What was going on in this mans mind and heart? Parable of Lost Sons? How do you feel about identifying with a man with deep resentments, who constantly alienates people by his arrogant behaviour?
  • 13. It is hard for me to concede that this bitter, resentful, angry man might be closer to me in a spiritual way that the lustful younger brother. Yet the more I think about the elder son, the more I recognise myself in him Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp69
  • 14. Lostness in the Elder Son Did all the right things Obedient Dutiful Law abiding Hardworking Respected Admired Praised Model son Outwardly faultless Proud Unkind Selfish Resentful Judgemental Condemning Prejudiced Angry
  • 15. What does more damage lust or resentment? Deeper complaint comes from a heart that feels it never received what it was due
  • 16. I tried so hard, worked so long, did so much, and still I have not received what others get so easily. Why do people not thank me, not invite me, not play with me, not honour me, while they pay so much attention to those who take life so easily and casually? Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp72
  • 17. The Father Luke 15:11-32 What words would you use to describe the father?
  • 19. What do you see in Rembrandts father? Difference in the Hands? masculine/ feminine; supportive/comforting; caressing/ holding Safety warmth of the cloak? Son held to the heart of the father
  • 20. Hands that forgive, console, heal and offer celebration must become my own Nouwens Conclusion
  • 21. I stand with awe at the place where Rembrandt brought me. He led me from the kneeling, dishevelled young son to the standing, bent-over old father, from the place of being blessed to the place of blessing Nouwen, H. (1994). Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming pp138
  • 23. Christ has nobody on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which is to look out Christs compassion to the world. Yours are the feet by which he is to go about doing good. And yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now. (attrib. St. of Teresa of Avila)

Editor's Notes

  • #3: Nouwen describes love and forgiveness as unconditional. Though this is not a novel idea, Nouwen's approach unique as approached this theme from the angles of the younger son, the elder son, and the father. Each captures the unconditional quality of love and forgiveness in their own way.
  • #5: Arrogant; Disrespectful no one would ask for inheritance, wish father dead, heartless rejection, cutting loose from the way of living passed down, betrayal of family
  • #9: Emptiness, humiliation and defeat Shaven head; Clothes under clothes; soles of his feet; sandals; sword? Sign of nobility all he clung to was he was still the son of his father.
  • #13: What words describe him, body language no joy withdrawn; father bent over, wide and welcoming, son upright and closed. Brother who stayed at home was as lost interiorly wandered away from his father. Increasingly unhappy and unfree.