Lessons from a painting
Visio Divina (divine seeing) is a contemporary practice that evolved from an ancient monastic practice of lectio divina (divine reading). Both practices are ways to spend time with inspiring images or texts in contemplative prayer and meditation, allowing Divine Mystery to speak to you in a new way through the simple steps of gazing and noticing. You can use your own photos, inspiring pieces of artwork, or sacred images, especially contemporary ones like the stunning images found in the Saint John’s Bible.
Shall we have a go at visio divina?
Take a few deep breaths to settle in, then allow your eyes to rest on the image below, a painting by Rembrandt called Return of the Prodigal Son. Gaze at the painting for a few minutes or so and notice what comes up inside of you.
What are you noticing while you gaze at the image?
Do you feel attraction or repulsion to the painting depicted here?
Does it feel warm and inviting, or cool and distant?
How does the energy feel between the figures on the left and the figures on the right?
If you were to enter the painting, which figure would you inhabit? Why?
What is God telling you through this painting?
The Return of the Prodigal Son by Rembrandt
In the current session of The Wise Souls Circle, we are diving deep into the beliefs we have, or have been given, with respect to our relationship to God. In February, we are unpacking Henri Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. The book is about this painting by Rembrandt, the parable in chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke, and Nouwen’s own personal journey through each of the main characters in the parable. I have read this book many, many times, evidenced by all the different colors of the underlining that fill the book and the numerous post-its notes sticking out from the pages. It explores some of the most fundamental things we believe about God:
Does our image of God reflect the view of our culture or is it much more expansive and liberating than that?
How do we understand the love of God - does it need to be earned or is it freely given?
What do we think God thinks about sin?
What does it mean to be compassionate as God is compassionate?
The parable should be renamed “The Prodigal Father.” Did you ever look up the definition of “prodigal?” After reading the parable, one could logically conclude that the word “prodigal” carries a sinful or negative connotation, because that’s how the younger son is portrayed here. So you might find my suggestion to rename the parable uncomfortable because the father figure, who represents God, can't be sinful, right?
Oxford Dictionary defines “prodigal” as spending money or resources freely and recklessly; as being wastefully extravagant.
Can you imagine a love poured out as “prodigal?”
What does wastefully extravagant love look like?
What does reckless love look like?
Why did Jesus tell this parable? It’s not about forgiveness! It was told to illustrate how God feels about each one of us, to convince us that God’s love for us is prodigal. God loves us because of who God is, regardless of what we have accomplished: we don’t have to earn it. I found that lesson to be good news. I could stop striving and chasing after God’s love when I finally realized that I already had it!
The painting depicts an invitation to step into the divine embrace where we’ll receive our deepest desires: belonging and a sense of home. Can you trust that God loves you enough to search for you? Can you trust the one who runs out to embrace you as soon as you remember that small voice that calls you “Beloved”?
With all the noise in the world, so much of it frightening and disturbing, it is very difficult to realize that those loud voices promise us everything but deliver nothing. It is essential to our well-being that we find a quiet space to hear that voice that calls us home.
It is only in that quiet space that you can hear the invitation to live the celebration! Try reading the following words out loud, so that your ears hear them as your eyes read them. Very powerful!
Join us in the Wise Souls Circle for deep discussions that fill your soul. We’ll finish Nouwen’s book during our next meeting on Febuary 24th. Our book selection in March is Danielle Shroyer: Original Blessing: Putting Sin in its Rightful Place. We meet on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00pm eastern. Sign up below to get the Zoom link and other details mailed to you!
If you are interested in connecting with me one-on-one to talk about how God shows up in your life, you can schedule a complementary meeting with me here:
What did you think of the practice of Visio Divina? Have you ever tried it? This is one of the techniques I use in spiritual direction and I’m always surprised at how much can bubble up from an image.
Happy Valentine’s Day! Give yourself some loving today!