Reaching Out Study Guide Nouwen

Therefore, the first one we read: Reaching Out by Henri JM Nouwen. It\'s not a large book, but is a rich one in its shades of mysticism and simple truth, worth spending time to savour. In Reaching Out Nouwen describes the spiritual life as a series of movements. This book is a sure guide that will help you learn how to accept yourself, love others more. Easy reading that will trigger your hunger for spirituality, if it exists.

The Return of the Prodigal SonThe Return of the Prodigal SonFrom the Open Files of:Contributed by:M. Starshak, Minnetonka, MNThis file is available inSIX-WEEK STUDY GUIDETO ACCOMPANY HENRI NOUWEN\'STHE RETURN OF THE PRODIGALSONTo be human is to encounter nature, people, art, ideas.When we allow these encounters to speak to us, challenge us,change us, then we are truly human, created anew over andover by Gods transforming power through the created world.As you read this book, let it speak a message to you. Let itallow you to hear how God is challenging you through thisreading experience. If you accept the challenge, expect tocome out of this experience closer to the person God createdyou to be. HAVE A BLESSED ENCOUNTER WITH LUKE, REMBRANDT,NOUWEN AND GOD!Suggested approach to this study: pray and reflect on aportion of this book each day. Please remember in yourprayers all the people from this parish community who arestudying this book with you.WEEK 1 - THE STORY OF THE TWO SONSAND THEIR FATHER, READ PAGES 1-23 Prologue: Encounter with a Painting, pages3-18The Poster: What was Henri Nouwen\'s life situationwhen he first encountered the poster of the Prodigal Son?

Doyou think his condition affected his response to the poster?How? Think of a low point in your own life. In the midst ofyour struggles, did someone/thing outside you trigger ayearning for God\'s comfort? Explain.The Painting: What were the contrasts Nouwenobserved in this painting?

Nouwen describes Rembrandt\'spainting as \'a gracious dance of nature and art. \' What didhe mean by that phrase? Apply Rembrandt\'s ability tocooperate with nature and produce a stunning work of art toyour own desire to cooperate with God to bring forth thebest in you.The Event: According to Nouwen, what is thedifference between being an observer or a participant in thespiritual journey? How does he describe \'the place\' of theparticipant? Through his new life at L\'Arche, Nouwen seeshimself as having moved \'one little step from bystander toparticipant, from judge to repentant sinner, from teacherabout love to being loved as the beloved.\' What do you needto set aside to come one step closer?The Vision: What does Nouwen mean when he says, \'Iam God\'s home?\' Take Nouwen\'s example and \'kneel before theFather, put your ear against his chest and listen,without interruption, to the heartbeat of God.\'

What is Godsaying to you at this time of your life?Introduction- The Younger Son, the Elder Son, and theFather, pages 19-23How in his life does Nouwen identify with the youngerson? How does he identify with the elder son? What does itmean to be \'called to become the Father.\' Nouwen asks us todiscover within ourselves \'the lost children of God.and the compassionate mother and father that isGod.\'

What does he mean? Are you ready for the journey?WEEK 2 - THE YOUNGER SON, READPAGES 25-58 Rembrandt and the Younger Son, pages 29-33What does Nouwen learn about Rembrandt from reflecting onhis paintings? Reflect on your own spiritual journey wherehave you been, where are you now, where would you like tobe? \'Physical blindness and deep inner seeing areintimately connected. \' What does Nouwen mean by thisstatement?The Younger Son Leaves, pages 34-44A Radical Rejection: What does \'home\' mean forNouwen? How does the painting depict Nouwen\'s understandingof his spiritual \'home?\' Deaf to the Voice of Love: What does \'leaving\'mean for Nouwen?

What is the great tragedy of life accordingto Nouwen? Reflect on the following statements: \'Faith isthe radical trust that home has always been there and alwayswill be there\' p. \'The true voice of love.

Can onlybe heard by those who allow themselves to be touched.the touch of God\'s blessing hand \' p. On page 41, Nouwenlists many signs that tell him he has left home. What areyour signs that you have left home to dwell in a \'distantcountry?\'

Searching Where It Cannot Be Found: Nouwen sees inhimself one who struggles with \'the mistaken idea that theworld defines him.\' Can you relate to Nouwen\'s'struggles?\'

\'I am the prodigal everytime I search forunconditional love where it cannot be found.\' Where do yousee yourself searching for unconditional love? How does theprodigal \'no\' reflect the Adam and Eve story? Our story?What is the mystery of life according to Nouwen? What isyour response to this great mystery?The Younger Son Returns, pages 45-58Being Lost: What does Rembrandt\'s depiction andNouwen\'s interpretations tell us about the prodigal son\'scondition? What caused the son to opt for life?

What haveyou discovered about your deepest self as you have movedthrough life? What situations have you found yourself inwhen you have made the greatest discoveries aboutyourself?Claiming Childhood: \'The way home is long andarduous.\' What did the son seem to know about the Fatherthat caused him to return home? How might this help you asyou seek to return home?The Long Way Home: \'One of the greatest challengesof the spiritual life is to receive God\'s forgiveness.\' Whatdoes receiving forgiveness really mean? What is the role ofthe \'beloved son?\'

What does it mean to become a child ofGod? What is Nouwen\'s \'simplest route\' to the journey home?Read and reflect on Matthew 5:1-12. Which of thesebeatitudes speaks the loudest to you where you are now? Why?Are you the one who mourns or are you the one who inflictsmourning/sorrowing? Are you the peacemaker or are you theone who disturbs peace? Are you the single hearted or areyou the one who is distracted by all the allurements andaddictions of the world? Are you the lowly/meek or are youthe one who lords over others?

Reflect on the rest of thebeatitudes in the same way.The True Prodigal: \'There is no journey to Godoutside of the journey of Jesus.\' 'Jesus is the prodigal sonof the prodigal Father who gave away everything the Fatherhad entrusted to him so that I could become like him toreturn with him to his Father\'s house.\' The prodigal \'is nolonger just one repentant sinner, but the whole of humanityreturning to God.\' These are \'wow\' statements.

What doesNouwen mean by them? Please take each one of them to prayerand reflection. How do you hear God speaking to you throughthem? Write down your reflections. Your reflections are thevoice of the Holy Spirit encouraging you on your journey\'home.\' WEEK 3 - THE ELDER SON, PAGES59-88 Rembrandt and the Elder Son, pages 62-66Rembrandt\'s painting \'summarizes the great spiritualbattle and the great choices this battle demands.\'

How wouldyou interpret this statement by Nouwen and how are youchallenged by it? How does the elder son represent thePharisees and the scribes of scripture? Who does the youngerson represent in the scriptures? How do Rembrandt\'sbiographers divulge a Rembrandt much like the elder son?What seems to be the elder son\'s dominant sin?

How is thispredictable to one who stays home? \'The hardest conversionto go through is the conversion of the one who stayed home.\' Do you agree with this statement by Nouwen? Explain.The Elder Son Leaves, pages 67-76Standing with Clasped Hands: How does Rembrandtshow that the elder son is lost too?Lost in Resentment: Anger, envy, judgment,condemnation, resentment, bitterness and jealousy are thedamaging characteristics of \'elder sons/daughters.\'

Do youidentify with any of these descriptives? \'The lostness ofthe resentful \'saint\' is so hard to reach precisely becauseit is so closely wedded to the desire to be good andvirtuous.\' Do you agree with this comment? Explain.Without Joy: What is the terrible effect of theelder son\'s sin?

Explain this statement: \'Joy and resentmentcannot coexist.\' Nouwen gives an example from his own lifeof how resentment pushes way joy. Describe his experience.Can you think of any examples from your life whereresentment has kept you from the joy of God\'s love?An Open-ended Question: Describe Nouwen\'s journeyto the realization that he cannot heal/change/redeemhimself. Have you reached that conclusion about yourself?

Ifso, describe your journey to that realization.The Elder Son\'s Return, pages 77-88A Possible Conversion: We are free to make our ownchoices: to stay in the darkness or step into the light ofGod\'s love. Think of a time when you chose darkness. Thinkof a time when you chose light.

Describe what Nouwen meansby the \'pathology of the darkness\' p. What event inNouwen\'s life does he see as \'a true return\' to the Father?What did he learn about himself?Through Trust and Gratitude: What is one thingthat you must do in your life to make the return to theFather possible? In other words, how can you prepare to befound? \'Who does not thank for little will not thank formuch.\' Explain this Estonian proverb. Do you have little tobe thankful for or much?

Pause now to thank God forsomething you experienced today. How can you live gratitudeas a discipline?The True Elder Son: What does Nouwen mean when hesees Jesus as the elder son? How is this comforting foryou?WEEK 4 - THE FATHER PAGES 89-119 Rembrandt and the Father, pages 92-97The power of Rembrandt\'s painting is \'that the mostdivine is captured in the most human.\' What does this mean?What does this tell you about God?

What are themost telling characteristics of the Father in Rembrandt spainting? What is Rembrandt\'s attraction to blind men allabout? Compare Luke\'s parable with Rembrandt\'s painting.What is Rembrandt trying to say in his depiction of theFather? \'It is precisely the immensity of the divine lovethat is the source of the divine suffering.\' Howdoes Nouwen interpret the Father\'s hands? How is thiscomforting to you? Through whom in your life have you feltthe hands of the Father blessing you?

Thank the Father forthese people in your life. How does Nouwen see Rembrandt\'sown spiritual journey?The Father Welcomes Home, pages 99-109Father and Mother: How do scholars interpret thehands and red cloak? Read Isaiah 49:15-16, Psalm. 91,Matthew 23:37-38 to re-enforce Rembrandt\'s understanding ofthe Father. The elder son\'s dilemma is \'to dare to be lovedas his Father longs to love him or to insist on being lovedas he feels he ought to be loved.\'

Is this your dilemma?What is this study calling you to do? How might you respondto that call?No More or Less: Can you fathom how all of God\'schildren are favorites. \'God looks at his people as childrenof a family who are happy that those who have done only alittle bit are as much loved as those who accomplish much.\' Do you like this kind of a God? Why or why not?The Heart of God: Is your God the God who stayshome and expects you to come to him or is your God the onewho runs to meet you? What in your life has led you tobelieve the way you believe?

Gods mission for us is to befound by him, to be known by him, to be loved by him.Reflect on what this means for you. What in your life keepsyou from believing that you are worthy of God\'s love? Whatcan you do about it?A First and Everlasting Love: How do doubts aboutyour own goodness keep you from experiencing the joy andfreedom of Gods love?The Father Calls for a Celebration, pages110-119Giving the Very Best: Imagine yourself beingdressed in the best robe of honor, with the ring ofinheritance and the sandals of prestige. How do youfeel?An Invitation to Joy: The Celebration the Fathercalls for is what living in the kingdom is all about. Do youhave the eyes to see the joy and the ears to hear thegladness that belongs to God, which is all around you?

Howcan you get those eyes, those ears (p. Take some timeto reflect on your day; name one thing to be joyful for.Not Without Sorrow: What are the characteristicsof people of joy (p. 117, last paragraph)?

Is thisrealistic? Why or why not? If we all lived this way, whatkind of a world would we have?

What does Nouwen mean when hesays \'that as a returned child of God, God\'s joy is mine toclaim?\' Do you see yourself as a returned child of God? Areyou claiming that joy that belongs to you? Our baptism putsus in the Father\'s house but we are still on our way to theFather. What do think this means?

For Nouwen, the ultimategoal of the spiritual life is becoming the Father. What doesit mean to be the Father? How can we, who are still on ourjourney, still sinners, be the Father?WEEK 5 - CONCLUSION ANDEPILOGUE, PAGES 120-139 Conclusion: Becoming the Father, pages 120-133A Lonely Step: Explain what Nouwen means by theFather as an \'outsider.\' What is the tragedy that keeps manyof us from becoming the Father? Do you see this as a problemin your life?

What do you know from this study and your ownexperiences of the Father that will keep you from fallinginto the trap of irrational fear of God? How has Church andsociety made it difficult to claim our spiritualfatherhood/motherhood?

Nouwen shows us that it is not enoughto recognize only the prodigal and the elder son in us; ourjourney is not complete without seeing the Father inourselves. Once we understand this, why all of a sudden doesit become so obvious? Explain.The Fatherhood of Compassion: \'To become like Godis to show the same compassion to others he is showing tome.\' What opportunities have you had to be compassionate?Recollect as many incidents as you can when others have beencompassionate to you? \'The great conversion called for byJesus is to move from belonging to the world to belonging toGod.\'

How does Jesus model becoming the Father? Compare theworld\'s idea of fatherhood with God\'s.Grief: Forgiveness and Generosity: Nouwen offersthese three ways to a truly compassionate fatherhood. Howdoes Nouwen see grief as a virtue? We can only forgive if weknow we are \'the Beloved Child.\' Generosity meansbeing of one kind, belonging to one family. What does thisunderstanding of the word speak to you? How does becomingthe Father bring true freedom?

Being present to his dyingfriend, helped Nouwen experience the Father\'s unconditionallove. Being home with the Father is the criteria for being aFather.

Nouwen envisions the rebellious son in himself andthe resentful son in himself stepping up to the Father toreceive his unconditional love. Then and only then can he betransformed into the compassionate Father, the Father thatthen can reach out and let his hands rest in a blessing onothers. Imagine yourself in the presence of the Father asfirst the rebellious one and then the resentful one. Let theFather\'s hands rest on your shoulders and bless you. Whatare you experiencing? Now imagine yourself reaching out tosomeone you know in need; let your healed compassionatehands rest on their shoulder and bless them.

What are youexperiencing? What have you learned from this meditation?Give it time.Epilogue: Living the Painting, page 134-139 Howwas Nouwen\'s experience at L\'Arche an experience of theFather\'s unconditional love? Where have you experienced sucha relationship of unconditional love? Nouwen\'s experienceallowed him to live his understanding of Rembrandt\'spainting: living without fear, guilt shame, worry, free tobe simply who he is. Can you consider your experience in thesame light? Why or why not?

\'Life in community does not keepthe darkness away.\' What does Nouwen mean by this statement?How do you see this in your own relationships?

What can youdo about it? What does Nouwen do about it?

What does Nouwenmean when he says his \'journey is far from ended.\' What doesthis mean for your spiritual journey? Is this comforting ordisheartening? Nouwen says this of the Father:\'Through the many deaths he suffered, he became completelyfree to receive and to give.\' What deaths has the Fathersuffered? What are the spiritual deaths you might have tosuffer to be the hands that do not beg, grasp, demand, warn,judge, and condemn but only bless? What does Nouwen mean bythe loneliness of the Father?

Is this too high a price topay to grow up spiritually?WEEK 6 - LIFE AFTER THE RETURN OFTHE PRODIGAL SON Rembrandt\'s painting took Nouwen on a long journey home.Where has this painting and Nouwen\'s reflection on it takenyou? Spend time each day this week asking the Father to showyou again what you need to hear from this parable, painting,book. Return to those places and reread and reflect. Writedown your thoughts.Thank you for praying Lent with us.

May this gift fromHenri Nouwen lead you into a blessed Holy Week and EasterSeason. •© Copyright 2002 by the Northwest Synod of WisconsinResource Center.

Therefore, the first one we read: Reaching Out by Henri JM Nouwen. It\'s not a large book, but is a rich one in its shades of mysticism and simple truth, worth spending time to savour. In Reaching Out Nouwen describes the spiritual life as a series of movements. This book is a sure guide that will help you learn how to accept yourself, love others more. Easy reading that will trigger your hunger for spirituality, if it exists.

The Return of the Prodigal SonThe Return of the Prodigal SonFrom the Open Files of:Contributed by:M. Starshak, Minnetonka, MNThis file is available inSIX-WEEK STUDY GUIDETO ACCOMPANY HENRI NOUWEN\'STHE RETURN OF THE PRODIGALSONTo be human is to encounter nature, people, art, ideas.When we allow these encounters to speak to us, challenge us,change us, then we are truly human, created anew over andover by Gods transforming power through the created world.As you read this book, let it speak a message to you. Let itallow you to hear how God is challenging you through thisreading experience. If you accept the challenge, expect tocome out of this experience closer to the person God createdyou to be. HAVE A BLESSED ENCOUNTER WITH LUKE, REMBRANDT,NOUWEN AND GOD!Suggested approach to this study: pray and reflect on aportion of this book each day. Please remember in yourprayers all the people from this parish community who arestudying this book with you.WEEK 1 - THE STORY OF THE TWO SONSAND THEIR FATHER, READ PAGES 1-23 Prologue: Encounter with a Painting, pages3-18The Poster: What was Henri Nouwen\'s life situationwhen he first encountered the poster of the Prodigal Son?

Doyou think his condition affected his response to the poster?How? Think of a low point in your own life. In the midst ofyour struggles, did someone/thing outside you trigger ayearning for God\'s comfort? Explain.The Painting: What were the contrasts Nouwenobserved in this painting?

Nouwen describes Rembrandt\'spainting as \'a gracious dance of nature and art. \' What didhe mean by that phrase? Apply Rembrandt\'s ability tocooperate with nature and produce a stunning work of art toyour own desire to cooperate with God to bring forth thebest in you.The Event: According to Nouwen, what is thedifference between being an observer or a participant in thespiritual journey? How does he describe \'the place\' of theparticipant? Through his new life at L\'Arche, Nouwen seeshimself as having moved \'one little step from bystander toparticipant, from judge to repentant sinner, from teacherabout love to being loved as the beloved.\' What do you needto set aside to come one step closer?The Vision: What does Nouwen mean when he says, \'Iam God\'s home?\' Take Nouwen\'s example and \'kneel before theFather, put your ear against his chest and listen,without interruption, to the heartbeat of God.\'

What is Godsaying to you at this time of your life?Introduction- The Younger Son, the Elder Son, and theFather, pages 19-23How in his life does Nouwen identify with the youngerson? How does he identify with the elder son? What does itmean to be \'called to become the Father.\' Nouwen asks us todiscover within ourselves \'the lost children of God.and the compassionate mother and father that isGod.\'

What does he mean? Are you ready for the journey?WEEK 2 - THE YOUNGER SON, READPAGES 25-58 Rembrandt and the Younger Son, pages 29-33What does Nouwen learn about Rembrandt from reflecting onhis paintings? Reflect on your own spiritual journey wherehave you been, where are you now, where would you like tobe? \'Physical blindness and deep inner seeing areintimately connected. \' What does Nouwen mean by thisstatement?The Younger Son Leaves, pages 34-44A Radical Rejection: What does \'home\' mean forNouwen? How does the painting depict Nouwen\'s understandingof his spiritual \'home?\' Deaf to the Voice of Love: What does \'leaving\'mean for Nouwen?

What is the great tragedy of life accordingto Nouwen? Reflect on the following statements: \'Faith isthe radical trust that home has always been there and alwayswill be there\' p. \'The true voice of love.

Can onlybe heard by those who allow themselves to be touched.the touch of God\'s blessing hand \' p. On page 41, Nouwenlists many signs that tell him he has left home. What areyour signs that you have left home to dwell in a \'distantcountry?\'

Searching Where It Cannot Be Found: Nouwen sees inhimself one who struggles with \'the mistaken idea that theworld defines him.\' Can you relate to Nouwen\'s'struggles?\'

\'I am the prodigal everytime I search forunconditional love where it cannot be found.\' Where do yousee yourself searching for unconditional love? How does theprodigal \'no\' reflect the Adam and Eve story? Our story?What is the mystery of life according to Nouwen? What isyour response to this great mystery?The Younger Son Returns, pages 45-58Being Lost: What does Rembrandt\'s depiction andNouwen\'s interpretations tell us about the prodigal son\'scondition? What caused the son to opt for life?

What haveyou discovered about your deepest self as you have movedthrough life? What situations have you found yourself inwhen you have made the greatest discoveries aboutyourself?Claiming Childhood: \'The way home is long andarduous.\' What did the son seem to know about the Fatherthat caused him to return home? How might this help you asyou seek to return home?The Long Way Home: \'One of the greatest challengesof the spiritual life is to receive God\'s forgiveness.\' Whatdoes receiving forgiveness really mean? What is the role ofthe \'beloved son?\'

What does it mean to become a child ofGod? What is Nouwen\'s \'simplest route\' to the journey home?Read and reflect on Matthew 5:1-12. Which of thesebeatitudes speaks the loudest to you where you are now? Why?Are you the one who mourns or are you the one who inflictsmourning/sorrowing? Are you the peacemaker or are you theone who disturbs peace? Are you the single hearted or areyou the one who is distracted by all the allurements andaddictions of the world? Are you the lowly/meek or are youthe one who lords over others?

Reflect on the rest of thebeatitudes in the same way.The True Prodigal: \'There is no journey to Godoutside of the journey of Jesus.\' 'Jesus is the prodigal sonof the prodigal Father who gave away everything the Fatherhad entrusted to him so that I could become like him toreturn with him to his Father\'s house.\' The prodigal \'is nolonger just one repentant sinner, but the whole of humanityreturning to God.\' These are \'wow\' statements.

What doesNouwen mean by them? Please take each one of them to prayerand reflection. How do you hear God speaking to you throughthem? Write down your reflections. Your reflections are thevoice of the Holy Spirit encouraging you on your journey\'home.\' WEEK 3 - THE ELDER SON, PAGES59-88 Rembrandt and the Elder Son, pages 62-66Rembrandt\'s painting \'summarizes the great spiritualbattle and the great choices this battle demands.\'

How wouldyou interpret this statement by Nouwen and how are youchallenged by it? How does the elder son represent thePharisees and the scribes of scripture? Who does the youngerson represent in the scriptures? How do Rembrandt\'sbiographers divulge a Rembrandt much like the elder son?What seems to be the elder son\'s dominant sin?

How is thispredictable to one who stays home? \'The hardest conversionto go through is the conversion of the one who stayed home.\' Do you agree with this statement by Nouwen? Explain.The Elder Son Leaves, pages 67-76Standing with Clasped Hands: How does Rembrandtshow that the elder son is lost too?Lost in Resentment: Anger, envy, judgment,condemnation, resentment, bitterness and jealousy are thedamaging characteristics of \'elder sons/daughters.\'

Do youidentify with any of these descriptives? \'The lostness ofthe resentful \'saint\' is so hard to reach precisely becauseit is so closely wedded to the desire to be good andvirtuous.\' Do you agree with this comment? Explain.Without Joy: What is the terrible effect of theelder son\'s sin?

Explain this statement: \'Joy and resentmentcannot coexist.\' Nouwen gives an example from his own lifeof how resentment pushes way joy. Describe his experience.Can you think of any examples from your life whereresentment has kept you from the joy of God\'s love?An Open-ended Question: Describe Nouwen\'s journeyto the realization that he cannot heal/change/redeemhimself. Have you reached that conclusion about yourself?

Ifso, describe your journey to that realization.The Elder Son\'s Return, pages 77-88A Possible Conversion: We are free to make our ownchoices: to stay in the darkness or step into the light ofGod\'s love. Think of a time when you chose darkness. Thinkof a time when you chose light.

Describe what Nouwen meansby the \'pathology of the darkness\' p. What event inNouwen\'s life does he see as \'a true return\' to the Father?What did he learn about himself?Through Trust and Gratitude: What is one thingthat you must do in your life to make the return to theFather possible? In other words, how can you prepare to befound? \'Who does not thank for little will not thank formuch.\' Explain this Estonian proverb. Do you have little tobe thankful for or much?

Pause now to thank God forsomething you experienced today. How can you live gratitudeas a discipline?The True Elder Son: What does Nouwen mean when hesees Jesus as the elder son? How is this comforting foryou?WEEK 4 - THE FATHER PAGES 89-119 Rembrandt and the Father, pages 92-97The power of Rembrandt\'s painting is \'that the mostdivine is captured in the most human.\' What does this mean?What does this tell you about God?

What are themost telling characteristics of the Father in Rembrandt spainting? What is Rembrandt\'s attraction to blind men allabout? Compare Luke\'s parable with Rembrandt\'s painting.What is Rembrandt trying to say in his depiction of theFather? \'It is precisely the immensity of the divine lovethat is the source of the divine suffering.\' Howdoes Nouwen interpret the Father\'s hands? How is thiscomforting to you? Through whom in your life have you feltthe hands of the Father blessing you?

Thank the Father forthese people in your life. How does Nouwen see Rembrandt\'sown spiritual journey?The Father Welcomes Home, pages 99-109Father and Mother: How do scholars interpret thehands and red cloak? Read Isaiah 49:15-16, Psalm. 91,Matthew 23:37-38 to re-enforce Rembrandt\'s understanding ofthe Father. The elder son\'s dilemma is \'to dare to be lovedas his Father longs to love him or to insist on being lovedas he feels he ought to be loved.\'

Is this your dilemma?What is this study calling you to do? How might you respondto that call?No More or Less: Can you fathom how all of God\'schildren are favorites. \'God looks at his people as childrenof a family who are happy that those who have done only alittle bit are as much loved as those who accomplish much.\' Do you like this kind of a God? Why or why not?The Heart of God: Is your God the God who stayshome and expects you to come to him or is your God the onewho runs to meet you? What in your life has led you tobelieve the way you believe?

Gods mission for us is to befound by him, to be known by him, to be loved by him.Reflect on what this means for you. What in your life keepsyou from believing that you are worthy of God\'s love? Whatcan you do about it?A First and Everlasting Love: How do doubts aboutyour own goodness keep you from experiencing the joy andfreedom of Gods love?The Father Calls for a Celebration, pages110-119Giving the Very Best: Imagine yourself beingdressed in the best robe of honor, with the ring ofinheritance and the sandals of prestige. How do youfeel?An Invitation to Joy: The Celebration the Fathercalls for is what living in the kingdom is all about. Do youhave the eyes to see the joy and the ears to hear thegladness that belongs to God, which is all around you?

Howcan you get those eyes, those ears (p. Take some timeto reflect on your day; name one thing to be joyful for.Not Without Sorrow: What are the characteristicsof people of joy (p. 117, last paragraph)?

Is thisrealistic? Why or why not? If we all lived this way, whatkind of a world would we have?

What does Nouwen mean when hesays \'that as a returned child of God, God\'s joy is mine toclaim?\' Do you see yourself as a returned child of God? Areyou claiming that joy that belongs to you? Our baptism putsus in the Father\'s house but we are still on our way to theFather. What do think this means?

For Nouwen, the ultimategoal of the spiritual life is becoming the Father. What doesit mean to be the Father? How can we, who are still on ourjourney, still sinners, be the Father?WEEK 5 - CONCLUSION ANDEPILOGUE, PAGES 120-139 Conclusion: Becoming the Father, pages 120-133A Lonely Step: Explain what Nouwen means by theFather as an \'outsider.\' What is the tragedy that keeps manyof us from becoming the Father? Do you see this as a problemin your life?

What do you know from this study and your ownexperiences of the Father that will keep you from fallinginto the trap of irrational fear of God? How has Church andsociety made it difficult to claim our spiritualfatherhood/motherhood?

Nouwen shows us that it is not enoughto recognize only the prodigal and the elder son in us; ourjourney is not complete without seeing the Father inourselves. Once we understand this, why all of a sudden doesit become so obvious? Explain.The Fatherhood of Compassion: \'To become like Godis to show the same compassion to others he is showing tome.\' What opportunities have you had to be compassionate?Recollect as many incidents as you can when others have beencompassionate to you? \'The great conversion called for byJesus is to move from belonging to the world to belonging toGod.\'

How does Jesus model becoming the Father? Compare theworld\'s idea of fatherhood with God\'s.Grief: Forgiveness and Generosity: Nouwen offersthese three ways to a truly compassionate fatherhood. Howdoes Nouwen see grief as a virtue? We can only forgive if weknow we are \'the Beloved Child.\' Generosity meansbeing of one kind, belonging to one family. What does thisunderstanding of the word speak to you? How does becomingthe Father bring true freedom?

Being present to his dyingfriend, helped Nouwen experience the Father\'s unconditionallove. Being home with the Father is the criteria for being aFather.

Nouwen envisions the rebellious son in himself andthe resentful son in himself stepping up to the Father toreceive his unconditional love. Then and only then can he betransformed into the compassionate Father, the Father thatthen can reach out and let his hands rest in a blessing onothers. Imagine yourself in the presence of the Father asfirst the rebellious one and then the resentful one. Let theFather\'s hands rest on your shoulders and bless you. Whatare you experiencing? Now imagine yourself reaching out tosomeone you know in need; let your healed compassionatehands rest on their shoulder and bless them.

What are youexperiencing? What have you learned from this meditation?Give it time.Epilogue: Living the Painting, page 134-139 Howwas Nouwen\'s experience at L\'Arche an experience of theFather\'s unconditional love? Where have you experienced sucha relationship of unconditional love? Nouwen\'s experienceallowed him to live his understanding of Rembrandt\'spainting: living without fear, guilt shame, worry, free tobe simply who he is. Can you consider your experience in thesame light? Why or why not?

\'Life in community does not keepthe darkness away.\' What does Nouwen mean by this statement?How do you see this in your own relationships?

What can youdo about it? What does Nouwen do about it?

What does Nouwenmean when he says his \'journey is far from ended.\' What doesthis mean for your spiritual journey? Is this comforting ordisheartening? Nouwen says this of the Father:\'Through the many deaths he suffered, he became completelyfree to receive and to give.\' What deaths has the Fathersuffered? What are the spiritual deaths you might have tosuffer to be the hands that do not beg, grasp, demand, warn,judge, and condemn but only bless? What does Nouwen mean bythe loneliness of the Father?

Is this too high a price topay to grow up spiritually?WEEK 6 - LIFE AFTER THE RETURN OFTHE PRODIGAL SON Rembrandt\'s painting took Nouwen on a long journey home.Where has this painting and Nouwen\'s reflection on it takenyou? Spend time each day this week asking the Father to showyou again what you need to hear from this parable, painting,book. Return to those places and reread and reflect. Writedown your thoughts.Thank you for praying Lent with us.

May this gift fromHenri Nouwen lead you into a blessed Holy Week and EasterSeason. •© Copyright 2002 by the Northwest Synod of WisconsinResource Center.