The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation: "God's Timeless Time" for Wednesday, 6 December 2017
DAILY MEDITATION: "God's Timeless Time" Wednesday 6 December 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
There is no "after" after death. Words like after and before belong to our mortal life, our life in time and space. Death frees us from the boundaries of chronology and brings us into God's "time," which is timeless. Speculations about the afterlife, therefore, are little more than just that: speculations. Beyond death there is no "first" and "later," no "here" and "there," no "past," "present," or "future." God is all in all. The end of time, the resurrection of the body, and the glorious coming again of Jesus are no longer separated by time for those who are no longer in time.For us who still live in time, it is important not to act as if the new life in Christ is something we can comprehend or explain. God's heart and mind are greater than ours. All that is asked of us is trust.
For further reflection...
In that day they will say, "Surely this is our God; we trusted in him, and he saved us. This is the Lord, we trusted in him; let us rejoice and be glad in his salvation." (Isaiah 25: 9 (NIV))
Your response...
When it comes to matters of life and death, do you find comfort in knowing that "All that is asked of us is trust?"
Comment on this meditation.
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Can You Drink the Cup".
---
DAILY MEDITATION: "Giving Permission to Die" Tuesday 5 December 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
One of the greatest gifts we can offer our family and friends is helping them to die well. Sometimes they are ready to go to God but we have a hard time letting them go. But there is a moment in which we need to give those we love the permission to return to God, from whom they came. We have to sit quietly with them and say: "Do not be afraid ... I love you, God loves you ... it's time for you to go in peace. ... I won't cling to you any longer ... I set you free to go home ... go gently, go with my love." Saying this from our heart is a true gift. It is the greatest gift love can give.When Jesus died he said: "Father, into your hands I commit my Spirit" (Luke 23:46). It is good to repeat these words often with our dying friends. With these words on their lips or in their hearts, they can make the passage as Jesus did.
For further reflection...
"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (Hebrews 12: 15 (NIV))
Your response...
Letting go of someone we love can be incredibly painful. What has helped you in the process of letting go?
Comment on this meditation.
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Our Greatest Gift".
---
DAILY MEDITATION: "Nurturing the Eternal Life Within Us" Monday, 4 December 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
The knowledge that Jesus came to dress our mortal bodies with immortality must help us develop an inner desire to be born to a new eternal life with him and encourage us to find ways to prepare for it.It is important to nurture constantly the life of the Spirit of Jesus - which is the eternal life - that is already in us. Baptism gave us this life, the Eucharist maintains it, and our many spiritual practices - such as prayer, meditation, spiritual reading, and spiritual guidance - can help us to deepen and solidify it. The sacramental life and life with the Word of God gradually make us ready to let go of our mortal bodies and receive the mantle of immortality. Thus death is not the enemy who puts an end to everything but the friend who takes us by the hand and leads us into the Kingdom of eternal love.
For further reflection...
"Moses was faithful as a servant in all God's house, testifying to what would be said in the future. But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." (Hebrews 3: 5, 6 (NIV))
Your response...
What practices help you nurture the life of the Spirit? Comment on this meditation.
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "With Open Hands".
---
DAILY MEDITATION: "Death, a New Birth" Sunday, 3 December 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
There comes a time in all our lives when we must prepare for death. When we become old, get seriously ill, or are in great danger, we can't be preoccupied simply with the question of how to get better unless "getting better" means moving on to a life beyond our death. In our culture, which in so many ways is death oriented, we find little if any creative support for preparing ourselves for a good death. Most people presume that our only desire is to live longer on this earth. Still, dying, like giving birth, is a way to new life, and as Ecclesiastes says: "There is a season for everything: ... a time for giving birth, a time for dying" (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2).We have to prepare ourselves for our death with the same care and attention as our parents prepared themselves for our births.
For further reflection..."Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death -- that is, the devil -- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death." (Hebrews 2: 14, 15 (NIV))
Your response...
What might it be like for you to be intentional about preparing for your death?
Comment on this meditation.
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Our Greatest Gift".
---
Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent, 3 December 2017
You do not know when the master of the house will come,
in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow or at dawn,
or else he may find you asleep when he comes suddenly.
And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake. (Mark 13:35-37)
Keep Awake!
Be alert, be alert, so that you will be able to recognize your Lord in your husband, in your wife, your parents, your children, your friends, your teachers, but also in all that you read in the daily newspapers. The Lord is coming, always coming. Be alert to his coming. When you have ears to hear and eyes to see, you will recognize him at any moment of your life. Life is Advent; life is recognizing the coming of the Lord...Still, I keep making my mistakes. Tonight I went to The Stuntman, a movie about the making of a film. The movie was so filled with images of greed and lust, manipulation and exploitation, fearful and painful sensations, that it filled all the empty spaces that could have been blessed by the spirit of Advent... Why do we keep missing the most obvious signs of God's coming and allow our hearts to be filled with all those things that keeps suggesting, not that our Lord is coming, but that nothing will happen unless we make it happen?
I hope and pray that Advent will not be filled with stuntmen, but with the Spirit of him who invites us to listen carefully to the sounds of the New Earth that are manifesting themselves in the midst of the old.
Good and gracious God, you know how much clutter fills my heart these days. Help me to pay attention to your presence in my life. Help me to look far and find opportunities this Advent to become more aware of how you touch my life each day. May I become evermore a sign of your love in the world. Amen.
The Henri Nouwen Society promotes the life and work
of one of the most influential spiritual writers of our time.
Your gift helps change the world!
Advent Online Book Discussion
Read * Reflect * Share
For more information, click here.This week's Advent reflection is from Gracias: A Latin American Journal © Henri J.M. Nouwen. Published by HarperCollins Publishers and reprinted here with publisher's kind permission.
Photo Credit: Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton, used with kind permission.
---
DAILY MEDITATION: "The Dilemma of Life" Saturday, 2 December 2017
Photo courtesy of V. Dobson
Do we desire to be with Christ in the resurrection? It seems that most of us are not waiting for this new life but instead are doing everything possible to prolong our mortal lives. Still, as we grow more deeply into the spiritual life - the life in communion with our risen Lord - we gradually get in touch with our desire to move through the gate of death into the eternal life with Christ. This is no death wish but a desire for the fulfillment of all desires. Paul strongly experienced that desire. He writes: "Life to me, of course, is Christ, but then death would be a positive gain. ... I am caught in this dilemma: I want to be gone and to be with Christ, and this is by far the stronger desire - and yet for your sake to stay alive in this body is a more urgent need" (Philippians 1:21-24). This is a dilemma that few of us have, but it lays bare the core of the spiritual struggle.For further reflection...
"Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires." (Romans 8: 5 (NIV))
Your response...
At this time in your life, how desirable is passing through the gates of death into eternal life with Christ? What hopes or hesitation do you feel?
Commenton this meditation.
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Beyond the Mirror".
---Our Winter Newsletter from The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto Ontario Canada
Welcome to our Winter NEWSLETTER!
As 2017 comes to a close and we prepare to launch into a brand new year, we want to take this opportunity to tell you a little about what we’ve been up to, and what we have planned for 2018 – as well as to extend to each of you our very best wishes for a wonderful Christmas and a very happy New Year
HNS NEWSLETTER
From the Executive Director
Dear Friends, I look back on 2017 with gratitude for the many opportunities and breakthroughs. Highlights from this year include the three extraordinary conferences held at the Oblate Summer Institute in San Antonio, at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Charlotte, and at Yale Divinity School in New Haven. Also, we celebrated the launch of four new books rooted in Henri’s rich archive of work.. Sadly, it was a very difficult year for many people. Natural disasters, threats of war, unspeakable violence, and seemingly irreconcilable political divisions made us feel—and I’m sure it did you as well. It’s during these times I try to find solace in prayer. For me, Henri’s thoughts on prayer are such an encouragement. “Prayer is the way to let the life-giving Spirit of God penetrate all the corners of my being,” he wrote. “Prayer is the divine instrument of my wholeness, unity and inner peace.” On behalf of everyone at the Henri Nouwen Society, I wish you each a blessed Christmas and a new year full of God’s peace and joy. Thank you so much for being part of our Henri Nouwen Society family! Sincerely, Executive Director Henri Nouwen’s devotional Bread for the Journey became an instant classic when it was published in 1997. This book of daily inspiration remains as popular as ever with its fresh insights into the challenges and joys of living a life in communion with God. Although Henri didn’t live to see the impact his devotional would have on the many who cherish his spiritual wisdom and direction, it is one of his most enduring legacies. Twenty-one years after his death, we are delighted to announce a new daily devotional selected from the best writings, talks and letters of Henri Nouwen; some of which have never been published before. You Are the Beloved captures the essence of Henri and what he came to believe in the very core of his being – that he was a beloved child of God. In this book, Henri invites us to consider that we too are precious in God’s sight. You Are the Beloved, compiled and edited by Gabrielle Earnshaw, makes a thoughtful and enduring gift that will be appreciated every day of the year. It’s a wonderful introduction to his work for those unfamiliar with Nouwen, and a must-have for every Nouwen reader. You Are the Beloved is now available online and at most bookstores. You Are the Beloved Courage for Caregivers – One-Day Retreats We are very excited about the inaugural Courage for Caregivers One-Day Retreat on December 2nd. This first of many oneday events is designed for active caregivers in need of spiritual encouragement and community support. Rooted in the wisdom of Henri Nouwen, these retreats will equip caregivers to identify both the challenges and the gifts of caregiving, while learning spiritual practices and techniques to sustain long-term self-care. Be sure to check our website for dates and locations of these one day retreats throughout 2018.
Coming Events
On February 9—10, 2018, the Henri Nouwen Society, the University of San Diego, and Point Loma Nazarene University present Revolution of the Heart:
The Counter-Cultural Spirituality of Henri Nouwen at the Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice in San Diego.
Keynote speakers include Sr. Sue Mosteller, John Dear, Robert Ellsberg and Shane Claiborne.
There are six outstanding breakout sessions planned as well. We hope that you can join us for this special gathering in southern California.
For more information and to register online, go to: www.sandiego.edu/nouwen
We are excited to be developing a Spirituality of Fundraising annual seminar. Henri Nouwen’s groundbreaking teaching on fundraising as ministry has transformed the way churches and donor-dependent organizations raise funds. These annual seminars will be invaluable resources for every church and not-for-profit organization.
Details to follow!
Henri Nouwen Society
www.henrinouwen.org
1-866-226-2158
Legacy & Tribute Gifts
Yes – we are ready to receive legacy and tribute gifts! A legacy gift is a planned future donation given through a will or other form of designation. By making a planned gift to the Henri Nouwen Society, you will leave a legacy of your belief in the value of Henri’s spirituality and his vision for change in the world through compassion and social justice. What better way to thank Henri for his spiritual mentorship than by making a contribution from your estate. By creating a legacy, you are making a significant contribution to the future sustainability of the work that is most meaningful to you. A tribute gift is a wonderful way to honor and celebrate a loved one’s birthday, anniversary, or special achievement – or to commemorate the life of someone who has passed. Please contact us for further information on either or both of these special gift options. A Christmas Reflection from Henri The God of love who gave us life sent his only Son to be with us at all times and in all places, so that we never have to feel lost in our struggles but always can trust that he walks with us…. Christmas is the renewed invitation not to be afraid and to let him – whose love is greater than our own hearts and minds can comprehend –be our companion. — ¡Gracias!
---
But Jesus also showed them that his body was a new spiritual body, no longer subject to the laws of nature. While the doors of the room where the disciples had gathered were closed, Jesus came and stood among them (see John 20:19), and when he offered them breakfast, nobody dared to ask: "Who are you?" They knew it was Jesus, their Lord and teacher, but they also knew that he no longer belonged to their world (see John 21:12). It was this experience of the risen Jesus that revealed to his disciples the life in the resurrection that was awaiting them. Are there any experiences in our lives that give us a hint of the new life that has been promised us?
For further reflection...
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45 (NIV))
Your response...
What do you imagine life after death eternal life with Christ will be like?
---
DAILY MEDITATION: "Meeting the Risen Christ" for Friday, 1 December 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, he convinced them that he was not a ghost but the same one that they had known as their teacher and friend. To his frightened and doubtful friends he said: "See by my hands and my feet that it is I myself. Touch me and see for yourselves" (Luke 24:39). Then he asked them for something to eat and later, when he appeared to them for the third time, he offered them breakfast, bread and fish (see Luke 24:42-43 and John 21:12-14).But Jesus also showed them that his body was a new spiritual body, no longer subject to the laws of nature. While the doors of the room where the disciples had gathered were closed, Jesus came and stood among them (see John 20:19), and when he offered them breakfast, nobody dared to ask: "Who are you?" They knew it was Jesus, their Lord and teacher, but they also knew that he no longer belonged to their world (see John 21:12). It was this experience of the risen Jesus that revealed to his disciples the life in the resurrection that was awaiting them. Are there any experiences in our lives that give us a hint of the new life that has been promised us?
For further reflection...
He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45 (NIV))
Your response...
What do you imagine life after death eternal life with Christ will be like?
Comment on this meditation.
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "A Letter of Consolation".
---
Visit our Bookstore:
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
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment