The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "A Second Death" for Saturday, 17 December 2016

The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "A Second Death" for Saturday, 17 December 2016

Photo courtesy of Paul Williamson www.colourbox.ca
Hell is a second death. This is what the Book of Revelation says (Revelation 21:8). Just as there is an eternal life, there is an eternal death. Eternal life is a second life; eternal death is a second death. Our first death can be a passage not only to eternal life but also to eternal death.
Looking at hell as a second death takes away the images of eternal suffering and torture that are so prevalent in medieval art and literature. It defines hell more as the refusal to choose life than as a punishment for wrongdoing. In fact, the sins that the Book of Revelation mentions as leading to eternal death are choices for death: murdering, worshipping obscenities, sexual immorality, lying, and so on (see Revelation 21:8). When we sow death we will reap death. But when we sow life we will reap life. It is we who do the sowing!

For further reflection..."The one who sows to please their sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."[Galatians 6: 8 (NIV)]
Your response...What would it mean for you to sow and reap life, instead of death?

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Thank You - Christmas 2016 Appeal from Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Thank You


To all of you who have responded to our 2016 Christmas appeal, thank you!
We truly appreciate your encouragement and your support. We couldn't begin to do what we do without you.
We also recognize that not everyone is in a position to help financially, particularly with the demands and obligations brought on by the Christmas season.
We appreciate and are grateful to each and every one of you!
Please remember us in your thoughts and prayers as we move into a new year with high hopes and exciting initiatives to extend Henri Nouwen's legacy to new audiences. Our hope is to continue to nurture spiritually hungry readers and seekers, inspire leadership, and promote social action and accountability as exampled by Henri himself.
From all of us at the Henri Nouwen Society, have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
If you just haven't had a chance to respond to our earlier appeal and would like to, please click on the button below to donate.

May God richly bless you this Christmas and throughout 2017.
With gratitude,

Karen Pascal
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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.
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214 - 95 Saint Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
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