The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

This powerful meditation illuminates the gospel story of The Return of the Prodigal Son. Nouwen discovers anew the reality that God’s love is unconditional and shares his own spiritual journey in this book on tape. After an exhausting lecture circuit, Nouwen says he felt “anxious, lonely, restless and very needy.” Then, he noticed a poster of Rembrandt’s The Prodigal Son in an office. The effect of the masterpiece was so powerful he felt embraced by God’s love as if he had “come home.” He traveled to see the original painting in Russia and was profoundly inspired by the encounter.Nouwen shares his experience as the wayward son, and also the angry older son and the prodigal father. He speaks to all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger and invites them to homecoming, affirmation and reconciliation.