Guest Note: The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Story of Homecoming

As a young child, Lent was a mysterious time for me. The 40 days of extra prayer times and church attendance made this time extraordinarily different from what my life was like otherwise. I was taught that I should be sacrificial and obey the rules regarding fasting and not eating meat on certain days of the week. As a young child, it was a wonder that I could make sense of anything that would prepare me for the joyous celebration of Easter!

Now, as I experience Lent, I have a completely different take on the significance of its 40 day observance. Instead of giving up what my childhood musings enjoyed, I have made my Lenten journey to be more meaningful and introspective. In other words, Lent offers me the time to go deep within myself and examine my consciousness in ways that I don’t otherwise give myself time to do.

Last Sunday, on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Deacon Linda read from Luke’s Gospel The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:1-3,11b-32). For me, this is the perfect parable to model a Lenten examen of consciousness.

One of the very large framed prints I have in our home is Rembrandt’s painting of “The Return of the Prodigal Son”. I look at this picture many times a day and I always ask myself, who am I today? Am I the loving, compassionate father or the lost and morally wounded young son? Maybe, I am the proud, resentful, judgmental older brother? Or even still the distant servant observer who looks on from a far without emotion or concern one way or another. I know that I embody all of these images in Rembrandt’s painting depending on the day and where I am at in my mind and my heart. I know that I have the capacity to seek and perhaps “run” to someone seeking to find love and care but I also know I can separate myself from those who love me and squander the connections I have in my relationships with my friends and family out of my own egoic needs. Most of all, I think the most serious side that my reflection reveals is my pride and judgmental-ness that shows up much too frequently.

So, I feel fortunate to discover Rembrandt’s painting and the book “The Return of the Prodigal Son, A Story of Homecoming” written by Henri J.M. Nouwen. It has been a wonderful resource for me.

I welcome this Lenten journey each and every year and I remind myself of this parables lesson each and every day. We are always welcome to come home to God’s home.

Rev. Deborah Hughes-Habel