GARGANTUAN steps
Thursday, December 29, 2016
return of the prodigal son
And so I've finished reading another book just before the turn of the year. And it is a spectacular, reflective book to end the year with. And it is Henri Nouwen's reflective thoughts on the parable, and the painting, of the Return of the Prodigal Son. And I have gain many insights from this book.
First of all, that the parable is more than just about the youngest son being welcomed back into the fold by the father, that all lost souls will have a chance at redemption at the end of the day, if you're willing to turn around and acknowledge your failings. It is more than that. It is about finding the elder brother within you, the jealous, cynical, judgemental, fault-finding person who feels that every thing should be fair. And it is trying to turn that all around, and being not such a person. And it is about reaching the ultimate goal - to be that of the father. We are not to always take the easy way out, to be like the sons, being the spoilt brat or the haughty one, but still able to always receive the father's love. Instead, we are called to take the bigger step, to be like the father. To always be searching for his sons, whether those who are at home, or those who are away. To be always the first to relent. The first to welcome. The first to give in. The first to love. Despite everything. And Henri Nouwen explains it very clearly, that in the parables of the prodigal son, or the shepherd finding the missing sheep, or the woman finding the missing coin - God is always the one searching for the lost, and not the other way around. That God is always making this first step towards us, and we too have to make such a reciprocal step back.
The next insight I gained is that we need to understand God differently - that God isn't expecting something back from us in return for His love. He gives it to us unconditionally, freely, and all the time. He is always there ready to receive us, like the youngest son, or the oldest son. That we need to shed the mindset of a vengeful God. We need to disperse of having such a mindset. This is humanly love, but God's love is unconditional. And to accept such a love needs a lot of courage and trust - to fully believe in such a love requires us to give up everything that we have been told from this world, and it is a huge and mighty step. ' It is the place that confronts me with the fact that truly accepting love, forgiveness, and healing is often much harder than giving it. It is the place beyond earning, deserving, and rewarding. It is the place of surrender and complete trust.' This is how Henri Nouwen puts in so succinctly.
The final interesting insight I gained is that Jesus too, is like the prodigal son in this parable. He too left His Father in Heaven, left with His inheritance, His title of Son, and left for a faraway land. He became human, and then subsequently made friends with sinners and tax collectors, feasted and enjoyed merriment, and then subsequently had to give up everything, including His worth and His life. Only to subsequently return back to the Father. But He did it so that we could become like Him, and return with Him to His Father's home.
I did particularly enjoy this book indeed!
- Henri J. M. Nouwen
posted by Gabriel Yan at 10:30 PM
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