We All Are in the Parable
A Lenten reflection from Bishop Stephen and resources for families observing Lent together.
“It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead and is alive, he was lost, and is found.” (Lk 15:32)
Henri Nouwen, one of the spiritual directors I deeply respect, has impacted my spiritual life along the journey of faith through his deep reflections in his writings. The Return of the Prodigal Son, one of his bestselling books, opens up a new perspective towards my self-identity in relation to the Heavenly Father and people around me. As a leader, I am still learning how to see myself as the younger prodigal son running away from the Father to a far distant land; how I have been working hard to serve the church but, as the elder son, fail to recognize my lostness in relation to the Father; and, on returning home to my Father, how to become like the father welcoming those who are lost in the world with open arms.
The Younger Son
Through his daily meditation of Jesus’ parable in Luke 15:11-32, depicted in Rembrandt’s famous portrait (pictured above), Henri Nouwen did say that “I recognize the younger son in myself.” “Yet over and over again, I have left home. I have fled the hands of blessing and run off to faraway places searching for love! This is the great tragedy of my life and of the lives of so many I met on the journey.” (p. 39)
The Elder Son
In Jesus’ parable, the elder son did not consider himself lost. However, when he was confronted with the younger brother’s return and the extravagant welcome by the father, his lostness exploded into bitter complaint and strong resentment. Nouwen confesses that “there is an enormous, dark drawing power to this inner complaint. Condemnation of others and self-condemnation, self-righteousness and self-rejection keep reinforcing each other in an ever more vicious way. Every time I allow myself to be seduced by it, it spins me in an endless spiral of self-rejection.” (p.72)
The Father
Nevertheless, Jesus states clearly that God will never ever turn anybody away in lostness. “If you cut loose from your true self, if you leave your true home, your suffering will be very profound, because away from my love you cannot live. That is why I want you to keep coming back to me.” (p.18, From Fear to Love) Jesus says, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36). In this regard, Nouwen concludes, “The return to the Father is ultimately the challenge to become the Father.” (p.123)
This Lent
In this Lent season, in reading the parable of the lost sons, we should know that we all are in the parable. We are the younger son, we are the elder son, and we are called to be the father who loves unconditionally. Together we are called to be united in the Father and become like the Father, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Mt 5:48)
Let us pray: Thank you, Lord, for taking us back into your arms. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
+Stephen
The Right Reverend Stephen Leung
Suffragan Bishop
The Anglican Diocese of Canada
Explore Our Lent Resources For Families
We have a variety of materials and resources for families to use over the season of Lent. These include devotionals, a journey board, calendar, colouring pages, craft ideas and more. We hope these materials may help you and your family have a rich, Christ-centred Lenten season.
