The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Thursday, 29 June 2017 - Daily Meditation: "Taking Up Our Crosses"

The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Thursday, 29 June 2017 - Daily Meditation: "Taking Up Our Crosses"

DAILY MEDITATION   Taking Up Our Crosses June 29 Photo courtesy of Paul Williamson www.colourbox.ca Jesus says: "If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him ... take up his cross and follow me" (Matthew 16:24). He does not say: "Make a cross" or "Look for a cross." Each of us has a cross to carry. There is no need to make one or look for one. The cross we have is hard enough for us! But are we willing to take it up, to accept it as our cross? Maybe we can't study, maybe we are handicapped, maybe we suffer from depression, maybe we experience conflict in our families, maybe we are victims of violence or abuse. We didn't choose any of it, but these things are our crosses. We can ignore them, reject them, refuse them or hate them. But we can also take up these crosses and follow Jesus with them. For further reflection... "Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." [Isaiah 58: 8, 9a (NIV)] Your response... How can you bring your cross under the blessing and love of God? Continue the Inspiration Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Turn My Mourning into Dancing".   Visit our Bookstore: United States | Canada | United Kingdom Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today. 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:

The Henri Nouwen Society 214 - 95 Saint Joseph Street Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada

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