Missionary Renegade: The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation for Monday, 2 October 2017: "The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture"

Monday, October 2, 2017

The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation for Monday, 2 October 2017: "The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture"

The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation for Monday, 2 October 2017: "The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture"

DAILY MEDITATION: "
The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture" for Monday, 2
October 2017

Photo courtesy of Marc Betsworth

The two disciples whom Jesus joined on the road to Emmaus recognised him in the breaking of the bread. What is a more common, ordinary gesture than breaking bread? It may be the most human of all human gestures: a gesture of hospitality, friendship, care, and the desire to be together. Taking a loaf of bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to those seated around the table signifies unity, community, and peace. When Jesus does this he does the most ordinary as well as the most extraordinary. It is the most human as well as the most divine gesture.
The great mystery is that this daily and most human gesture is the way we recognise the presence of Christ among us. God becomes most present when we are most human.

For further reflection...
They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us...? (Luke 24: 32a (NIV))
Your response..."The glory of God is a human being fully alive" (Saint Irenaeus of Lyons)

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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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