Friday, June 30, 2006


I posted yesterday my realizational of being the whore and perhaps it was too in your face.... this from Henri Nouwen says what I am thinking today....
I have this print of Rembrandts Prodigal on my mantle...my daugther got it for me when she was in Russia from the museum where the original hangs. The story of it for and in my family is for another day. But the picture speaks volumes.....the elder brother in it haunts me....which one are you??


Daily Meditation for June 30, 2006
written by Henri Nouwen
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Coming Home
In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), there are two sons: the younger son, who runs away from home to an alien country, and the older son, who stays home to do his duty. The younger son dissipates himself with alcohol and sex; the older son alienates himself by working hard and dutifully fulfilling all his obligations. Both are lost.
Their father grieves over both, because with neither of them does he experience the intimacy he desires.
Both lust and cold obedience can prevent us from being true children of God. Whether we are like the younger son or the older son, we have to come home to the place where we can rest in the embrace of God's unconditional love.

3 comments:

Jada's Gigi said...

I think, when the love of God draws us and we truly see ourselves as we are...we find that which ever son we turn out to be...it is, to us...the worst. We see ourselves as Isaiah...a man/woman of uncleaness.
Our eyes are opened wide though...not when we see ourselves...but when we see Him....then the comparison overwhelms us and we say, as Paul said, "oh wretched man that I am". We see ourselves as we are...the greatest sinner of all, yet received, loved, cleasned by the Redeemer.
Sorry I havn't been by more this week...been a little hectic at my place..:)

Anonymous said...

:) I would be the younger

Danielle said...

Becky, I wanted to share with you that I learned recently that Rembrant used 2 models for the hands of the father in this painting. One hand was modeled after a woman's. The other, a man's. This symbolized the grace (woman) and strength (man) of the Holy Father. I just thought this was cool.

I am the big brother. The nosey jealous brother. AND I'm also the brother who went off, got lost and came home...to a banquet.