From Fear to Love: Lenten Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son

The reflections in this booklet are drawn from recorded conferences Henri Nouwen gave on the parable of the prodigal son and the famous Rembrandt portrait, "The Return of the Prodigal Son." These reflections are ideally suited to Lenten prayer and meditation, for Nouwen powerfully presents the core message of the parable: we are children of God, given our freedom by the Father, who freely loves us whether we stay or go, whether we have been unfaithful or resentful or presumptous.

Nouwen guides us to recognize the particular sin that is currently dominating us, be in the infidelity of the younger son, the stubborn resentment of the older son or the refusal to become like the forgiving father. As we become aware of our sinfulness - though this awareness may be uncomfortable at times - we being our movement back to the Father in this Lenten season.