The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Daily Meditation for Monday, 18 May 2015 "The Breath of God Within Us" [from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey]

The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Daily Meditation for Monday, 18 May 2015 "The Breath of God Within Us" [from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey]
When we speak about the Holy Spirit, we speak about the breath of God, breathing in us. The Greek word for "spirit" is pneuma, which means "breath." We are seldom aware of our breathing. It is so essential for life that we only think about it when something is wrong with it.
The Spirit of God is like our breath. God's spirit is more intimate to us than we are to ourselves. We might not often be aware of it, but without it we cannot live a "spiritual life." It is the Holy Spirit of God who prays in us, who offers us the gifts of love, forgiveness, kindness, goodness, gentleness, peace, and joy. It is the Holy Spirit who offers us the life that death cannot destroy. Let us always pray: "Come, Holy Spirit, come."

For further reflection ...
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption, by which we cry, "Abba!" The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God...[Romans 8: 14-16 (NRSV)]

Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
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