Episode 32: Our Loving Father

Rembrandt van Rijn, The Return of the Prodigal Son, c. 1661–1669. 262 cm × 205 cm. Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg

FIRE IN BONE by the Killers, from IMPLODING THE MIRAGE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nx24VAjK6Q

“I felt cast out

I felt eighty-sixed

I felt darkness

But I felt fire in bone

I felt no good

I felt lowdown

And I felt alone

I felt unknown

I felt fire in bone

I felt fire in bone

When I came back empty-handed

You were waiting in the road

And you fell on my neck

And you took me back home

After all that I took from you

After all that I put you through

I felt fire in bone

They say no one's gonna save you

You've gotta make it on your own

But I called from the dark

And you picked up the phone

On my back in the raging blue

I looked up, and you cut right through

And when I came back empty-handed

You met me in the road

And you fell on my neck

And you took me back home

After all that I took from you

After all that I put you through

Here I am

Songwriters: Brandon Flowers / Ronnie Jr. Vannucci / Stuart David Price

Fire In Bone lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc

“The younger son’s return takes place in the very moment that he reclaims his sonship, even though he has lost all the dignity that belongs to it. In fact, it was the loss of everything that brought him to the bottom line of his identity. He hit the bedrock of his sonship. In retrospect, it seems that the prodigal had to lose everything to come into touch with the ground of his being.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son

“The parable that Rembrandt painted might well be called “The Parable of the Lost Sons.” Not only did the younger son, who left home to look for freedom and happiness in a distant country, get lost, but the one who stayed home also became a lost man. Exteriorly he did all the things a good son is supposed to do, but, interiorly, he wandered away from his father. He did his duty, worked hard every day, and fulfilled all his obligations but became increasingly unhappy and unfree.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son

“This invitation to a meal is an invitation to intimacy with God.”

― Henri J.M. Nouwen, Return of the Prodigal Son

LITTLE GIANT, by ROO PAYNES

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60SAYoPz6Zc

"Thought that I was in my prime,

But I was naked dressed in my pride.

You saw through the things I hide,

Yet still said be yourself you'll turn out all-right.

You made me run like I'd never run,

Try like I had never tried,

Fight like had never fought,

Made me want it.

I'm always saying I'll make it right my dear,

Cos losing you is my greatest fear.

I know I found all the blame this side,

But still you say be yourself you'll turn out all-right.

Who said it's easy to feel loved,

When you look over your shoulder,

And only see the wasteland,

You've just got to carry what you can,

Have the heart of a giant but know you're a man.

Start small, grow tall.

Songwriters: Andrew David Panes

Little Giant lyrics © Crc Music Group

THE HYMN OF THE PEARL: (Your summer reading assignment!)

http://gnosis.org/library/hymnpearl.htm

AND if you would like something else SUPER insightful to read for the summer, I recommend:

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible by Randolf Richards

https://amzn.to/3tPwmiQ

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