Welcomed Home

 

One of the most influential books I have ever read, or devoured, is Home Tonight by Henri Nouwen. It is the sequel to his Return of the Prodigal Son containing more reflections on the story and the painting by Rembrandt. Rotating as he did through each character in the painting he learned so much about himself. I learned a lot about “trying on” other less familiar points of view and, in turn, bursting some long held assumptions.

What was it like to be the father, the brother, the servants? are important questions alongside the exodus and return of the prodigal. We are all these characters at different times, I suspect. And so, when pondering hospitality recently I remembered Home Tonight and the feelings of welcome, return, fear, jealousy, relief, and the transcending power of love!

This is what I wrote:

Welcome Home Sgt. Mary Magdalene

I was driving through some sleepy New England towns

freshly clothed in a downy white snow,

when a bright red sign pierced the dreaminess.

Welcome Home Sgt. Mary Magdalene it proclaimed!

Could it be? 

Was another faithful, patriotic woman

returning from war?

What and who would greet her?

I envisioned a band playing off-key and fleshy hugs.

I tasted chili and smelled wafting apple pie.

My imagination traveled to another prodigal’s return

Its telling shaped my faith,

From a distance, a recognition

Closer in, a leaping and warming

Roasting lamb and unleavened bread touched and drew water.  

That tether of welcome and nurture so strong as to almost dismiss

The other response,

The jealous, threatened one.

We all return from battles each day.

Some to home fires burning,

Some to home fires to be kindled or hoped for.

May we open our hearths,

   our arms ,

      our hearts ,

To the prodigal always coming toward us

Always within us.

May we all be home tonight.