The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "The Meal That Makes Us Family and Friends" for Wednesday, 15 February 2017

The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with Father Henri J. M. Nouwen DAILY MEDITATION "The Meal That Makes Us Family and Friends" for Wednesday, 15 February 2017
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Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.comWe all need to eat and drink to stay alive. But having a meal is more than eating and drinking. It is celebrating the gifts of life we share. A meal together is one of the most intimate and sacred human events. Around the table we become vulnerable, filling one another's plates and cups and encouraging one another to eat and drink. Much more happens at a meal than satisfying hunger and quenching thirst. Around the table we become family, friends, community, yes, a body.
That is why it is so important to "set" the table. Flowers, candles, colorful napkins all help us to say to one another, "This is a very special time for us, let's enjoy it!"

For further reflection...The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." When Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, son of Saul, came to David, he bowed down to pay him honor. David said, "Mephibosheth! Don't be afraid, for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." Then Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king demands his servant to do." So Mephibosheth ate at David's table, like one of the king's sons. And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet.[2 Samuel 9: 3, 6, 7, 11, 13]
Your response..."Accustom yourself continually to make many acts of love, for they enkindle and melt the soul."[Teresa of Ávila, Complete Works of St Teresa of Jesus: Volume 3]

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Road to Daybreak".

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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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Henri Nouwen Society
214 - 95 Saint Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
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