Photo courtesy of V. Dobson
Being with a friend in great pain is not easy. It makes us uncomfortable. We do not know what to do or what to say, and we worry about how to respond to what we hear. Our temptation is to say things that come more out of our own fear than out of our care for the person in pain. Sometimes we say things like "Well, you're doing a lot better than yesterday," or "You will soon be your old self again," or "I'm sure you will get over this." But often we know that what we're saying is not true, and our friends know it too.
We do not have to play games with each other. We can simply say: "I am your friend, I am happy to be with you." We can say that in words or with touch or with loving silence. Sometimes it is good to say: "You don't have to talk. Just close your eyes. I am here with you, thinking of you, praying for you, loving you."
For further reflection...
Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the month he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David. In the morning, Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him, and he said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together -- but David wept the most.[I Samuel 20: 33-35, 41 (NIV)]
Your response...
"The strongest antidote to fear is to be present to the Presence of God."[Anonymous]
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "A Spirituality of Caregiving".
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The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "Bringing the Spirit Through Leaving" for Monday, 14 March 2016
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is often in our absence that the Spirit of God manifests itself. When Jesus left his disciples he said: "It is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete [the Spirit] will not come to you. However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth" (John 16: 7;13). It was only in Jesus' absence that his friends discovered the full meaning of his presence. It was only in his absence that they completely understood his words and experienced full communion with him; and it was only in his absence that they could gather in a community of faith, hope, and love.
When we claim for ourselves that we come to our friends in the Name of Jesus - that through us Jesus becomes present to them - we can trust that our leaving will also bring them the Spirit of Jesus. Thus, not only our presence but also our absence becomes a gift to others.
For further reflection...
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours -- otherwise not." As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out...[2 Kings 2: 9-12 (NIV)]
Your response...
Who has left a powerful imprint on your life through their presence or absence?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Intimacy".
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is often in our absence that the Spirit of God manifests itself. When Jesus left his disciples he said: "It is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete [the Spirit] will not come to you. However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth" (John 16: 7;13). It was only in Jesus' absence that his friends discovered the full meaning of his presence. It was only in his absence that they completely understood his words and experienced full communion with him; and it was only in his absence that they could gather in a community of faith, hope, and love.
When we claim for ourselves that we come to our friends in the Name of Jesus - that through us Jesus becomes present to them - we can trust that our leaving will also bring them the Spirit of Jesus. Thus, not only our presence but also our absence becomes a gift to others.
For further reflection...
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours -- otherwise not." As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out...[2 Kings 2: 9-12 (NIV)]
Your response...
Who has left a powerful imprint on your life through their presence or absence?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Intimacy".
---------------------
The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen "Absence That Creates Presence" for Sunday, 13 March 2016
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is good to visit people who are sick, dying, shut in, handicapped, or lonely. But it is also important not to feel guilty when our visits have to be short or can only happen occasionally. Often we are so apologetic about our limitations that our apologies prevent us from really being with the other when we are there. A short time fully present to a sick person is much better than a long time with many explanations of why we are too busy to come more often.
If we are able to be fully present to our friends when we are with them, our absence too will bear many fruits. Our friends will say: "He visited me" or "She visited me," and discover in our absence the lasting grace of our presence.
For further reflection...
"Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself."[Galatians 4: 14 (NIV)]
Your response...
You can leave the "lasting grace" of your presence by being fully present in the moment. Where will you go today?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Aging".
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is good to visit people who are sick, dying, shut in, handicapped, or lonely. But it is also important not to feel guilty when our visits have to be short or can only happen occasionally. Often we are so apologetic about our limitations that our apologies prevent us from really being with the other when we are there. A short time fully present to a sick person is much better than a long time with many explanations of why we are too busy to come more often.
If we are able to be fully present to our friends when we are with them, our absence too will bear many fruits. Our friends will say: "He visited me" or "She visited me," and discover in our absence the lasting grace of our presence.
For further reflection...
"Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself."[Galatians 4: 14 (NIV)]
Your response...
You can leave the "lasting grace" of your presence by being fully present in the moment. Where will you go today?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Aging".
---------------------The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada DAILY MEDITATION with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen - Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, 13 March 2016
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.[Psalm 51:12]
"Unconditional Love"
When we freely allow fear to dominate and change us, we live in misery far from our home of unconditional love.
Meanwhile Jesus, our example, says to the disciples and to us, "Don't be afraid. Perfect love casts out fear." He walked freely, lived freely, and carried on an intimate relationship with the One who sent him into the world.
Throughout the nights or early mornings Jesus spent time communing with the One who loved him. Among his last words he tells us, "As the Father has loved me, so I also love you. . . . If you keep my word, the Father and I will come to you and we will make our home in you. . . . I will send you my Spirit, who will dwell with you forever, and will remind you of all I have said to you."
Jesus came to convince us that Our Maker's love is pure gift, unearned and free. We are free to relate with the Source of all life or not. A great love embraces all the love that you and I have ever known, from father, mother, spouses, brothers, sisters, children, teachers, friends, partners, or counselors.
Welcoming unconditional love automatically makes us more like the Unconditional Lover. Divine love lasts forever.
Our Lenten Book Discussion Continues!
Join us during Lent as we reflect on Henri Nouwen's In the Name of Jesus. Facilitated by Ray Glennon. You are welcome to participate in any way that is spiritually nourishing for you.
READ * REFLECT * SHARE
For more information, click here.
Excerpt from Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Copyright © 2009 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. Published by Doubleday. Used with kind permission of the publisher. Scripture quotation from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America; selected by M. Wright.
Photo of Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton. Used with kind permission.
Help us promote and extend Henri Nouwen's legacy by making a donation today.
Click here to donate in US dollars.
Click here to donate in CDN dollars.
Henri Nouwen Society
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.[Psalm 51:12]
"Unconditional Love"
When we freely allow fear to dominate and change us, we live in misery far from our home of unconditional love.
Meanwhile Jesus, our example, says to the disciples and to us, "Don't be afraid. Perfect love casts out fear." He walked freely, lived freely, and carried on an intimate relationship with the One who sent him into the world.
Throughout the nights or early mornings Jesus spent time communing with the One who loved him. Among his last words he tells us, "As the Father has loved me, so I also love you. . . . If you keep my word, the Father and I will come to you and we will make our home in you. . . . I will send you my Spirit, who will dwell with you forever, and will remind you of all I have said to you."
Jesus came to convince us that Our Maker's love is pure gift, unearned and free. We are free to relate with the Source of all life or not. A great love embraces all the love that you and I have ever known, from father, mother, spouses, brothers, sisters, children, teachers, friends, partners, or counselors.
Welcoming unconditional love automatically makes us more like the Unconditional Lover. Divine love lasts forever.
Our Lenten Book Discussion Continues!
Join us during Lent as we reflect on Henri Nouwen's In the Name of Jesus. Facilitated by Ray Glennon. You are welcome to participate in any way that is spiritually nourishing for you.
READ * REFLECT * SHARE
For more information, click here.
Excerpt from Home Tonight: Further Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son, Copyright © 2009 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. Published by Doubleday. Used with kind permission of the publisher. Scripture quotation from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America; selected by M. Wright.
Photo of Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton. Used with kind permission.
Help us promote and extend Henri Nouwen's legacy by making a donation today.
Click here to donate in US dollars.
Click here to donate in CDN dollars.
Henri Nouwen Society
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Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
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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. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
Join us for the Lent 2016 discussion of Henri Nouwen's book "In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership".
Visit our new website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.
LEARN MORE
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. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
STAY CONNECTED:
Henri Nouwen Society
95 Saint Joseph Street, Room 214
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
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