By Henri J. M. Nouwen

Narrated by Fred Sanders

Jesus told a story, recorded in the New Testament, of a young man who left his home and family for wasteful living. When he ran out of money and friends, he realized he would be better off working as a servant in his father’s house. His decision leads him back to a loving father and a resentful brother. So much has been said in sermons and written in books about the prodigal son that a reader might wonder what could be added to this study. The phrase “the prodigal son” has even become a part of our lexicon.

Henri Nouwen has written a masterpiece by combining the original story with a description of his personal journey in which he finds he can identify at various times and circumstances with the prodigal son and the elder brother. He feels called to love like the father in the story. What makes this book unique, besides his style and familiar tone is his long study of Rembrandt’s famous depiction of the family reunion. It began with seeing it on a poster and continues through a specially arranged trip to view at length the original at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Nouwen brings the reader along in his search for the truths held in the painting and how to apply them to his life. Nouwen’s own story is found in this book through the realism and honesty of his disclosures of personal struggles. As an academic, he taught at several universities, but found his most growth as a child of God during his time as pastor at L’Arche community for disabled persons and their caretakers in Ontario, Canada.

I was immersed in this short book from the beginning, not wanting my time of introspection to end. Fred Sanders narrated the book with kindness and care. I believed I could hear Nouwen’s “voice” spoken through the audio. I recommend this book in any of its formats or many translations. It is good for personal study or would make a nice gift.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Nonfiction, Christian, Religion & Spirituality, Inspirational

Publication: Printed–March 1, 1994—Image

    Audio–November 15, 2010—Random House Audio/Audible

Memorable Lines:

Resentment and gratitude cannot coexist, since resentment blocks the perception and experience of life as a gift. My resentment tells me that I don’t receive what I deserve. It always manifests itself in envy.

The leap of faith always means loving without expecting to be loved in return, giving without wanting to receive, inviting without hoping to be invited, holding without asking to be held. And every time I make a little leap, I catch a glimpse of the One who runs out to me and invites me into his joy, the joy in which I can find not only myself, but also my brothers and sisters. Thus the disciplines of trust and gratitude reveal the God who searches for me, burning with desire to take away all my resentments and complaints and to let me sit at his side at the heavenly banquet.

Unlike a fairy tale, the parable provides no happy ending. Instead, it leaves us face to face with one of life’s hardest spiritual choices: to trust or not to trust in God’s all-forgiving love.

If God is compassionate, then certainly those who love God should be compassionate as well.