Missionary Renegade: The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation: "The Saints Who Live Short Lives" for Thursday, 9 November 2017

Thursday, November 9, 2017

The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation: "The Saints Who Live Short Lives" for Thursday, 9 November 2017

The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation: "The Saints Who Live Short Lives" for Thursday, 9 November 2017

DAILY MEDITATION: "
The Saints Who Live Short Lives" for Thursday, 9
November 2017

Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com

As we see so many people die at a young age, through wars, starvation, AIDS, street violence, and physical and emotional neglect, we often wonder what the value of their short lives is. It seems that their journeys have been cut off before they could reach any of their goals, realise any of their dreams, or accomplish any of their tasks. But, short as their lives may have been, they belong to that immense communion of saints, from all times and all places, who stand around the throne of the Lamb dressed in white robes proclaiming the victory of the crucified Christ (see Revelation 7:9).
The story of the innocent children murdered by King Herod in his attempt to destroy Jesus (see Matthew 2:13-18), reminds us that saintliness is not just for those who lived long and hardworking lives. These children, and many who died young, are as much witnesses to Jesus as those who accomplished heroic deeds.

For further reflection...
But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 30, 31 (NIV))
Your response...
Transforming a loss to a blessing is the deep work of the Spirit.

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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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