The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "Forgiveness, the Way to Freedom " for Thursday, 26 January 2017

The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "Forgiveness, the Way to Freedom " for Thursday, 26 January 2017
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Photo courtesy of V. Dobson
To forgive another person from the heart is an act of liberation. We set that person free from the negative bonds that exist between us. We say, "I no longer hold your offense against you" But there is more. We also free ourselves from the burden of being the "offended one." As long as we do not forgive those who have wounded us, we carry them with us or, worse, pull them as a heavy load. The great temptation is to cling in anger to our enemies and then define ourselves as being offended and wounded by them. Forgiveness, therefore, liberates not only the other but also ourselves. It is the way to the freedom of the children of God.

For further reflection..."Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."[Matthew 7: 24-25]
Your response...Do you remember a time when you were "the offended one?"

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Home Tonight".
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2017 Lent Book Discussion from Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Thursday, 26 January 2017

The Online Book Discussion Selection for Lent

We are delighted to announce that Adam: God's Beloved has been selected for our Lent 2017 Nouwen Online Book Discussion.
Beginning with greetings and introductions on Ash Wednesday, March 1st, our welcoming and capable facilitators Brynn Lawrence and Ray Glennon will get things going with greetings and introductions.
Assigned readings and discussion will begin on the first Sunday of Lent, March 4th.

About the Book:
In the year before his death in 1996, Henri Nouwen had planned writing a book exploring the Apostles' Creed. But then the death of his friend Adam, a severely handicapped young man from the L'Arche Daybreak community, changed his mind. He found that by reflecting on the story of Adam, he discovered a way of describing his own understanding of the Gospel message.
Adam could not speak or even move without assistance. Gripped by frequent seizures, he spent his life in obscurity. Yet, for Nouwen, Adam "became my friend, by teacher, my guide." It was Adam who led Nouwen to a new understanding of faith and what it means to be Beloved of God.
"This book is a gift. It reads like a walk with a friend." - P.B.
"As usual, Nouwen doesn't disappoint. He has a novel way of thinking
that gives me to a new appreciation for my faith." - Carole
Completed only weeks before his own death, Adam: God's Beloved became Nouwen's final, precious gift - a fitting summation of his own message and legacy.
Be sure to join us throughout Lent for engaging and inspired discussion of this classic Nouwen book.
Adam: God's Beloved is available at many bookstores as well as the HNS online bookstore, the publisher's website, and most other online book retailers, includingAmazon.com and Amazon.ca
FOR MORE INFORMATION and to participate in the discussion, go here:
http://wp.henrinouwen.org/rgroup_blog/-------

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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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Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
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