DAILY MEDITATION "Freedom from Judging, Freedom for Mercy" for Thursday, 9 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com We spend an enormous amount of energy making up our minds about other people. Not a day goes by without somebody doing or saying something that evokes in us the need to form an opinion about him or her. We hear a lot, see a lot, and know a lot. The feeling that we have to sort it all out in our minds and make judgments about it can be quite oppressive.
The desert fathers said that judging others is a heavy burden, while being judged by others is a light one. Once we can let go of our need to judge others, we will experience an immense inner freedom. Once we are free from judging, we will be also free for mercy. Let's remember Jesus' words: "Do not judge, and you will not be judged" (Matthew 7:1).
For further reflection...
When the Pharisee who had invited himself saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is - that she is a sinner." Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." He said, "Tell me, teacher." Then Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "DO YOU SEE THIS WOMAN?"[Luke 7: 39-40, 44 (NIV)]
Your response...
Where in your life would you find it helpful to have more mercy and less judgment?
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Bread for the Journey".
-------
Visit our Bookstore:
United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Search the Daily Meditations...
You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here...
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
United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Search the Daily Meditations...
You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here...
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
-------
Daily Meditation for Wednesday, 8 March 2017: "Towards a Nonjudgmental Life" Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "Towards a Nonjudgmental Life" for Wednesday, 8 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
One of the hardest spiritual tasks is to live without prejudices. Sometimes we aren't even aware how deeply rooted our prejudices are. We may think that we relate to people who are different from us in colour, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle as equals, but in concrete circumstances our spontaneous thoughts, uncensored words, and knee-jerk reactions often reveal that our prejudices are still there.
Strangers, people different than we are, stir up fear, discomfort, suspicion, and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security just by being "other." Only when we fully claim that God loves us in an unconditional way and look at "those other persons" as equally loved can we begin to discover that the great variety in being human is an expression of the immense richness of God's heart. Then the need to prejudge people can gradually disappear.
For further reflection...
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in [another's] eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to [another], "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the while there is a plank in your own?[Matthew 7: 2-4 (NIV)]
Your response...
How do find yourself reacting to people who are very different than you?
-------
Daily Meditation for Wednesday, 8 March 2017: "Towards a Nonjudgmental Life" Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "Towards a Nonjudgmental Life" for Wednesday, 8 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
One of the hardest spiritual tasks is to live without prejudices. Sometimes we aren't even aware how deeply rooted our prejudices are. We may think that we relate to people who are different from us in colour, religion, sexual orientation, or lifestyle as equals, but in concrete circumstances our spontaneous thoughts, uncensored words, and knee-jerk reactions often reveal that our prejudices are still there.
Strangers, people different than we are, stir up fear, discomfort, suspicion, and hostility. They make us lose our sense of security just by being "other." Only when we fully claim that God loves us in an unconditional way and look at "those other persons" as equally loved can we begin to discover that the great variety in being human is an expression of the immense richness of God's heart. Then the need to prejudge people can gradually disappear.
For further reflection...
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in [another's] eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to [another], "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when all the while there is a plank in your own?[Matthew 7: 2-4 (NIV)]
Your response...
How do find yourself reacting to people who are very different than you?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Peacework".
-------
Visit our Bookstore:
United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Search the Daily Meditations...
You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here...
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
United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Search the Daily Meditations...
You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here...
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
-------
Daily Meditation for Tuesday, 7 March 2017: "The Great Gift of Parenthood" of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "The Great Gift of Parenthood" for Tuesday, 7 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com Children are their parents' guests. They come into the space that has been created for them, stay for a while - fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five years - and leave again to create their own space. Although parents speak about "our son" and "our daughter," their children are not their property. In many ways children are strangers. Parents have to come to know them, discover their strengths and their weaknesses, and guide them to maturity, allowing them to make their own decisions.
The greatest gift parents can give their children is their love for each other. Through that love they create an anxiety-free place for their children to grow, encouraging them to develop confidence in themselves and find the freedom to choose their own ways in life.
For further reflection...
"If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring it success."[Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NIV)]
Your response...
In what ways were your own parents able or unable to practice parenting as a form of hospitality?
-------
Daily Meditation for Tuesday, 7 March 2017: "The Great Gift of Parenthood" of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "The Great Gift of Parenthood" for Tuesday, 7 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com Children are their parents' guests. They come into the space that has been created for them, stay for a while - fifteen, twenty, or twenty-five years - and leave again to create their own space. Although parents speak about "our son" and "our daughter," their children are not their property. In many ways children are strangers. Parents have to come to know them, discover their strengths and their weaknesses, and guide them to maturity, allowing them to make their own decisions.
The greatest gift parents can give their children is their love for each other. Through that love they create an anxiety-free place for their children to grow, encouraging them to develop confidence in themselves and find the freedom to choose their own ways in life.
For further reflection...
"If the axe is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring it success."[Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NIV)]
Your response...
In what ways were your own parents able or unable to practice parenting as a form of hospitality?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Here and Now".
-------
Visit our Bookstore:
United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Search the Daily Meditations...
You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here...
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
United States | Canada | United Kingdom
Search the Daily Meditations...
You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here...
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
-------
-------
No comments:
Post a Comment