The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "The Fullness of Time" for Sunday, 18 December 2016

The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "The Fullness of Time" for Sunday, 18 December 2016

Photo courtesy of Judith Leckie
Jesus came in the fullness of time. He will come again in the fullness of time. Wherever Jesus, the Christ, is the time is brought to its fullness.
We often experience our time as empty. We hope that tomorrow, next week, next month or next year the real things will happen. But sometimes we experience the fullness of time. That is when it seems that time stands still, that past, present, and future become one; that everything is present where we are; and that God, we, and all that is have come together in total unity. This is the experience of God's time. "When the completion of the time came [that is: in the fullness of time], God sent his Son, born of a woman" (Galatians 4:4), and in the fullness of time God will "bring everything together under Christ, as head, everything in the heavens and everything on earth" (Ephesians 1:10). It is in the fullness of time that we meet God.

For further reflection...At midnight the cry rang out: "Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"[Matthew 25: 6 (NIV)]
Your response...Can you recall a time when you experienced the love and closeness of God in a particularly special way?

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Return of the Prodigal Son".-------
Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, 18 December 2016 from The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada


This is my Son, the Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased.[Matthew 3:17]
Fourth Sunday of Advent-You Are My Beloved - In the world there are many other voices speaking -- loudly: "Prove that you are the beloved. Prove you're worth something. Prove you have any contribution to make. Do something relevant. Be sure to make a name for yourself. At least have some power -- then people will love you; then people will say you're wonderful, you're great."
These voices are so strong. They touch our hidden insecurities and drive us to become very busy trying to prove to the world that we are good people who deserve some attention. Sometimes we think that our busyness is just an expression of our vocation, but Jesus knew that often our attempts to prove our worth are an example of temptation. Right after Jesus heard the voice say, "You are my beloved," another voice said, "Prove you are the beloved. Do something. Change these stones into bread. Be sure you're famous. Jump from the Temple..." Jesus said, "No, I don't have to prove anything. I am already beloved."

As we journey together through Advent, please remember
we need your support to help introduce Henri Nouwen
to spiritually hungry readers and seekers.
Click here to donate in US dollars.
Click here to donate in CDN dollars.
Advent Online Book Discussion 
The Advent Book Discussion continues for one more week. This year's featured book is the highly acclaimed new release Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life. Facilitated by Brynn Lawrence and Ray Glennon, you are welcome to participate in any way that is spiritually nourishing for you!
Read * Reflect * Share
For more information, click here.
This week's Advent reflection is from A Spirituality of Living by Henri J.M. Nouwen, © The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust, published by Upper Room Ministries and reprinted here with the publisher's kind permission.
Photo Credit: Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton, used with kind permission.
-------
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: 
Henri Nouwen Society
214 - 95 Saint Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
-------