Quotessence
Home / Books / The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

Book by Henri J.M. Nouwen · 3 quotes · Spirituality, Prodigal Son, Parables

Filter quotes by topic

AllSpiritualityProdigal SonParablesTheologyLoveGodResentmentArtCompassionDeathFaithFatherhoodGratitudeHomeRembrandtSelf EsteemJoySufferingTrustAnger

The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming Quotes

“We can allow ourselves to be found by God and healed by his love through the concrete and daily practice of trust and gratitude. Trust and gratitude are the disciplines for the conversion of the elder son. By telling myself that I am not important enough to be found, I amplify my self-complaint. I must totally disown my self-rejecting voice and claim the truth that God does indeed want to embrace me as much as he does my wayward brothers and sisters.”

SpiritualitySelf EsteemTrustGratitudeTheologyRejectionComplaintsParablesProdigal Son
Book:The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming
Create image

“Both trust and gratitude require the courage to take risks because distrust and resentment, in their need to keep their claim on me, keep warning me how dangerous it is to let go of my careful calculations and guarded predictions. At many points I have to make a leap of faith to let trust and gratitude have a chance. The leap of faith always means loving without expecting to be loved in return, giving without wanting to receive, inviting without hoping to be invited, holding without asking to be held. And every time I make a little leap, I catch a glimpse of the One who runs out to me and invites me into his joy, the joy in which I can find not only myself, but also my brothers and sisters.”

JoyFaithSpiritualityTrustGratitudeTheologyUnconditional LoveResentmentParablesProdigal Son
Book:The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming
Create image

“I see how lost the elder son is. He has become a foreigner in his own house. I know the pain of this predicament. In it, everything loses its spontaneity. Everything becomes suspect, self-conscious, calculated, and full of second-guessing. There is no longer any trust. Each little move calls for a countermove; each little remark begs for analysis; the smallest gesture has to be evaluated. This is the pathology of the darkness. I cannot forgive myself. I cannot make myself feel loved. By myself I cannot leave the land of my anger. I cannot bring myself home.”

LoveSpiritualityRelationshipsTrustForgivenessAngerTheologyResentmentParablesProdigal Son
Book:The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming
Create image