I found this book very moving. It changed how I think about the story of the Prodigal Son, and how I think about my own spiritual journey. Highly recommended. If you read the Genessee Diary and related to Nouwen's personal reflections there, you will get even more out of The Return of the Prodigal Son.

Having "The Genesee Diary" many years ago, and upon learning of Nouwen's untimely death, I was surprised to learn that he had written over 30 books. I was, and continue to be, overwhelmed by hearing his talk on "The Prodidgal Son." This represents a magnificent synthesis of his lifetime of searching. The fact that his cascade of insights is triggered by the painting of a fellow Dutchman, Rembrandt, and a searching soul as well, is remarkable. Because Nouwen is both priest and psychologist, I found his insights to be even more pointed and thought-provoking. When listening to this tape while driving, I have often pulled off the road because I was stunned by his cutting right to the core of so many issues. This could only come from a lifetime of struggling.

Native Americans believe in the healing power of stories. Jesus was, among other things, a story teller. Nouwen tells his own story of going out and returning, using the prodigal son parable as a framework, in these talks. This is truly a warm, wonderful, and deeply human volume. I highly recommend it.

The lives of Rembrandt and the author take vivid shape before the mind's eye of the reader as Henri Nouwen tells the history of Rembrandt's painting. Rembrandt's famous canvas is inextricably intertwined with the story of the painter's own life and, as the author movingly shares, Rembrandt's experience was so powerfully human that it transcends generations and centuries and resonates clearly with contemporary women and men. The Return of the Prodigal Son may be said to be much more than the story of a painting; it is a beautiful story of love conveyed by Rembrandt through his painting.

In as much as love may be considered both human and spiritual, the reader is invited in to the intimacy of two men's deeply human and profoundly spiritual journeys though life. Despite life's suffering and bitterness, the author and the painter share their reasons for maintaining a firm grip on hope and inner peace. This is wonderful jewel of a book that has yet to be discovered and appreciated for it full worth - at least judging by its sales rank.

This is a wonderful book. Also, check out the movie "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" and the book "Francis: the Journey and the Dream".

I love this book for a million reasons but probably the simplest reason is the mystery that is as old as the world and the separateness and unity of the sexes themselves. It paints Clare the human woman and Clare the divine woman and seeks not to compromise either but makes St. Clare real flesh and bone and brings her radiant awe into a new era when mankind is floundering for as sense of identity. Friar Bodo writes like no other and from the point of view of a contemplative,the inner way and written by a man who himself seems to be madly in love with the Lady Clare - and who himself has the touch and the gift of a medieval poet.

this book is written with all the tender poignancy of a lover and with all the insight and wisdom of a man who has followed in the footsteps of the Franciscan Way. For all who are interested in a more intimate knowledge of Clare and Francis or anyone simply interested in a love story at it's zenith and it's purest - this book is purely a real fairy tale and pure treasure.

Clare - A Light in the Garden is a book to be cherished, endeared, words to be read over and over. Murray Bodo paints a picture like no other person. He definitely has a sense of the holyness and purpose of St. Clare. Enjoy and share with others!

This book changed my life 10 years ago and through the narrative life of the little man of Assisi. A must for anyone wanting to learn about the spirtuality and human aspects of Francis' character.

Fr. Bodo has been so interested in St. Francis for so many years that his depth of understanding is thought-provoking and often startling. Every chapter has some dimension of Francis, the contemplative life, and the lessons of Francescan living that are informative to me personally and important to me Spiritually. This is a book that I will re-read a number of times to try to absorb as many of the ideas as my mind will permit. I am most thankful to have discovered this gem written about one of the most important mystics of all history.

Fr Bodo has created a piece of work that makes St Francis comes alive for us today. The writing is direct and easy to follow. St Francis would be proud of this modern day Franciscan and his views.

This is a great book for all those dealing with the ministry of the pastoral care for the sick or those confronting a illness or death in the family. It demonstrates that although sometimes we cannot take away the physical pain of being sick or dying, often times, the most important part is not adding to the emotional, psychological and more importantly, spiritual pain that those who are suffering often feel. It is a call to compassion through Jesus, who is the best example of compassion that we have.

Read the life of a Saint, keep it in your heart and try to imitate it. (Saint Vincent Pallotti)

This book is a perfect guideline to live a life in peace. St. Francis of Assisi is the author of the famous peace prayer: Lord, make me an instrument of your peace... To have this book, is the dream of a lifetime. Having Francis guiding our lives with his marvellous thoughts and prayers. Wishing you can also acquire it to fulfil your life...

This book is different from many of Nouwen's other writings in that he presents lessons learned and spiritual reflections from a very specific event in his life (an almost fatal accident). As he often does, Nouwen delves deep into his own mind and shares his fears and deepest thoughts as he faced death. His thoughts on forgiveness "in the very end" for others and by others, caused me to give great consideration to how I daily forgive. If you fear death or are not "ready" for it, this book provides comforting thoughts for preparing for our real home.

As a seminarian you are always searching for new and exciting ways to attain a deeper and more enriching level of spirituality. However, Henri Nouwen presents in this little book the basis for all spirituality. More than anything, he emphasizes that spirituality is what works for you. Furthermore, he reminds us that spirituality is not some far fetched ideal but brings us back to basics by making us realize that spirituality is found in our everyday realities. The tools for spirituality are not only theoretical, but also practical and need to be utilized in our lives as much as possible. Although a Catholic priest, as I hope to be some day, he presents a very objectified view of his experience.

Henri Nouwen wrote "Beyond the Mirror" after suffering from a serious, nearly fatal, accident with the intent to "...bring comfort and hope to my brothers and sisters who are afraid to think of their approaching death, or think of it in fear and trembling, but never in peace."

This slight (only 74 pages) volume delivers - in spades. The transcendental love Nouwen experiences, the peace and relaxation he feels while ill, and the struggle to hang onto his new experiences after recovering are believable, touching, and all too real. This book would make a wonderful gift for anyone facing a serious or life-threatening illness, or those deeply frightened of dying. I hope it comes back into print soon.

I enjoyed this book as an introductory to studying the life of St. Francis of Assisi, and found the book easy to read and yet deeply meaningful. Murray Bodo uses the point of view of a narrator who can read Francis's thoughts and feelings, knows his desires, dreams, and relationships with God, fellow brothers, St. Clare, and Pope Innocent III. While Bodo makes history come to life using anecdotes, dialogue, poetry, metaphors, and vivid imagery, some of the book may be artistic license, but after reading other histories on Francis I think Bodo's portrayal is accurate and that Francis would have thought and acted in the way Bodo presents. It seems to me that the book is more geared toward providing spiritual growth by studying the life of St. Francis and revealing his human thoughts than a historical biography of him, and Bodo does a very good job in leading the reader to tackle some of the same questions that Francis had. The illustrations are beautiful; there are some black and white renderings of watercolor washes showing some of the important events in Francis' life interspersed throughout the book. My only qualms about the book are that sometimes the chronology is hard to follow, but maybe as a more careful reader I would not have had that problem. A map would have been nice, for much geography in the Assisi area is mentioned. Otherwise, I appreciated the book for its emphasis on having a dream, taking action and living it, and the power of prayer and love in one's life.

I must say that I enjoyed this book very much and so have most of the people I have spoke with. It is a good poetic book with a lot of great insights into the heart and soul of Saint Francis. Bodo has a wonderful way of expressing the poetic heart of Francis through his own poetry. A must read for anyone interested in Saint Francis of Assisi.

This anthology of Fr Bodo's writing over the passed 20 years gives the reader a thirst for discovering more of his writing. I have searched (in vain) for a title of his which is now out of print. The Almond Tree Speaks is a thought provoking piece of work, almost an autobiography, which displays Fr Murray's talents as a writer of prose and poetry