Home / Authors / Henri J.M. Nouwen

Henri J.M. Nouwen Quotes

Author

Browse famous quotes by Henri J.M. Nouwen.

Filter quotes by topic

All Spirituality Prodigal Son Parables Theology God Love Compassion Solitude Joy Christianity Faith Jesus Prayer Resentment Art Community Gratitude Self Esteem Death Fatherhood

Famous Henri J.M. Nouwen Quotes

“Spiritual fatherhood has nothing to do with power or control. It is a fatherhood of compassion. But the father of the prodigal son is not concerned about himself. His long-suffering life has emptied him of his desires to keep in control of things. Can I give without wanting anything in return, love without putting any conditions on my love?”

Suffering Spirituality Compassion Theology Selfishness Unconditional Love Fatherhood Parables Prodigal Son

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

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

“You're called to become a father who can welcome his children home without asking them any questions and without wanting anything from them in return. Most people around you don’t need you to be a good friend or even a kind brother. We need you to be a father who can claim for himself the authority of true compassion. The idea of being like the old man who had nothing to lose because he had lost all, and only to give, overwhelmed me with fear. I still feel the desire to remain the son and never to grow old.”

Spirituality Fear Compassion Authority Theology Generosity Fatherhood Parables Prodigal Son

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

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

“Rembrandt portrays the father as the man who has transcended the ways of his children. His own loneliness and anger may have been there, but they have been transformed by suffering and tears. I see the immense beauty of the father’s emptiness and compassion.”

Spirituality Compassion Loneliness Tears Transformation Theology Emptiness Fatherhood Prodigal Son Rembrandt

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

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

“The return to the "Father from whom all fatherhood takes its name" allows me to let my dad be no less than the good, loving, but limited human being he is, and to let my heavenly Father be the God whose unlimited, unconditional love melts away all resentments and anger and makes me free to love beyond the need to please or find approval.”

God Faith Parents Fatherhood

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

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