In his reflection on Rembrandt, in light of his own life journey, Henri Nouwen evokes the powerful drama of the parable in a rich, captivating way that is sure to reverberate in the heart of the reader.
The themes of homecoming, affirmation, and reconciliation may be newly dicovered by all who have known loneliness, dejection, jealousy or anger. The challenge to love as the Father and be loved as the Son can be seen as the ultimate revelation of the parable known to Christians throughout time, and here this revelation is represented with an enlightening vigour and power fresh for our times.