DAILY MEDITATION "The Virtue of Flexibility for Thursday, 16 March 2017
Photo courtesy of V. Dobson
Trees look strong compared with the wild reeds in the field. But when the storm comes the trees are uprooted, whereas the wild reeds, while moved back and forth by the wind, remain rooted and are standing up again when the storm has calmed down.
Flexibility is a great virtue. When we cling to our own positions and are not willing to let our hearts be moved back and forth a little by the ideas or actions of others, we may easily be broken. Being like wild reeds does not mean being wishy-washy. It means moving a little with the winds of the time while remaining solidly anchored in the ground. A humorless, intense, opinionated rigidity about current issues might cause these issues to break our spirits and make us bitter people. Let's be flexible while being deeply rooted.
For further reflection...
"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom."[James 3:13(NIV)]
Your response...
Do you find it easy or difficult to be "flexible while being deeply rooted?"
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Home Tonight".
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Daily Meditation: "An Honest Being-With" for Wednesday, 15 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "An Honest Being-With for Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Photo courtesy of V. DobsonBeing with a friend in great pain is not easy. It makes us uncomfortable. We do not know what to do or what to say, and we worry about how to respond to what we hear. Our temptation is to say things that come more out of our own fear than out of our care for the person in pain. Sometimes we say things like "Well, you're doing a lot better than yesterday," or "You will soon be your old self again," or "I'm sure you will get over this." But often we know that what we're saying is not true, and our friends know it too.
We do not have to play games with each other. We can simply say: "I am your friend, I am happy to be with you." We can say that in words or with touch or with loving silence. Sometimes it is good to say: "You don't have to talk. Just close your eyes. I am here with you, thinking of you, praying for you, loving you."
For further reflection...
Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David. Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger; on that second day of the month he did not eat, because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David. In the morning, Jonathan went out to the field for his meeting with David. He had a small boy with him, and he said to the boy, "Run and find the arrows I shoot." As the boy ran, he shot an arrow beyond him. After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together -- but David wept the most.[I Samuel 20: 33-35, 41 (NIV)]
Your response...
"The strongest antidote to fear is to be present to the Presence of God."[Anonymous]
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "A Spirituality of Caregiving".
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Daily Meditation: "Bringing the Spirit Through Leaving" for Tuesday, 14 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "Bringing the Spirit Through Leaving" for Tuesday, 14 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is often in our absence that the Spirit of God manifests itself. When Jesus left his disciples he said: "It is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete [the Spirit] will not come to you. However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth" (John 16: 7;13). It was only in Jesus' absence that his friends discovered the full meaning of his presence. It was only in his absence that they completely understood his words and experienced full communion with him; and it was only in his absence that they could gather in a community of faith, hope, and love.
When we claim for ourselves that we come to our friends in the Name of Jesus - that through us Jesus becomes present to them - we can trust that our leaving will also bring them the Spirit of Jesus. Thus, not only our presence but also our absence becomes a gift to others.
For further reflection...
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours -- otherwise not." As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out...[2 Kings 2: 9-12 (NIV)]
Your response...
Who has left a powerful imprint on your life through their presence or absence?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Intimacy".
Daily Meditation: "Bringing the Spirit Through Leaving" for Tuesday, 14 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "Bringing the Spirit Through Leaving" for Tuesday, 14 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is often in our absence that the Spirit of God manifests itself. When Jesus left his disciples he said: "It is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go, the Paraclete [the Spirit] will not come to you. However, when the Spirit of truth comes he will lead you to the complete truth" (John 16: 7;13). It was only in Jesus' absence that his friends discovered the full meaning of his presence. It was only in his absence that they completely understood his words and experienced full communion with him; and it was only in his absence that they could gather in a community of faith, hope, and love.
When we claim for ourselves that we come to our friends in the Name of Jesus - that through us Jesus becomes present to them - we can trust that our leaving will also bring them the Spirit of Jesus. Thus, not only our presence but also our absence becomes a gift to others.
For further reflection...
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied. "You have asked a difficult thing," Elijah said, "yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours -- otherwise not." As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out...[2 Kings 2: 9-12 (NIV)]
Your response...
Who has left a powerful imprint on your life through their presence or absence?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Intimacy".
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Daily Meditation: "Absence That Creates Presence" for Monday, 13 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Daily Meditation: "Absence That Creates Presence" for Monday, 13 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "Absence That Creates Presence" for Monday, 13 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
It is good to visit people who are sick, dying, shut in, handicapped, or lonely. But it is also important not to feel guilty when our visits have to be short or can only happen occasionally. Often we are so apologetic about our limitations that our apologies prevent us from really being with the other when we are there. A short time fully present to a sick person is much better than a long time with many explanations of why we are too busy to come more often.
If we are able to be fully present to our friends when we are with them, our absence too will bear many fruits. Our friends will say: "He visited me" or "She visited me," and discover in our absence the lasting grace of our presence.
For further reflection...
"Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself."[Galatians 4: 14 (NIV)]
Your response...
You can leave the "lasting grace" of your presence by being fully present in the moment. Where will you go today?
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Aging".
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Daily Meditation: "The Spirit of Jesus Listening in Us" for Sunday, 12 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Daily Meditation: "The Spirit of Jesus Listening in Us" for Sunday, 12 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DAILY MEDITATION "The Spirit of Jesus Listening in Us" for Sunday, 12 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
Listening in the spiritual life is much more than a psychological strategy to help others discover themselves. In the spiritual life the listener is not the ego, which would like to speak but is trained to restrain itself, but the Spirit of God within us. When we are baptized in the Spirit - that is, when we have received the Spirit of Jesus as the breath of God breathing within us - that Spirit creates in us a sacred space where the other can be received and listened to. The Spirit of Jesus prays in us and listens in us to all who come to us with their sufferings and pains.
When we dare to fully trust in the power of God's Spirit listening in us, we will see true healing occur.
For further reflection...
"If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear. Consider carefully what you hear," Jesus continued. "With the measure you use it will be measured to you -- and even more."[Mark 4: 23-24 (NIV)]
Your response...
Who can the Spirit of Jesus (working through you) listen to today?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Spiritual Direction".
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Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent_2017 for Sunday, 12 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent_2017 for Sunday, 12 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent
Your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the work of your hands.[Psalm 138:8]
SOMETIMES WE GROW RESENTFUL as we grow older. When our image of an ideal life evaporates and painful historical, personal, family, or financial realities break through to the surface, it can be most disturbing.
Let us try to see the pain of our human and spiritual journey "from above." The great art is to gradually trust that life's interruptions are the places where God is molding you into the person you are called to be. Interruptions are not disruptions of your way to holiness, but rather are places where you are being formed into the unique person God calls you to be. You know you are living a grateful life when whatever happens is received as an invitation to deepen your heart, to strengthen your love, and to broaden your hope. You are living a grateful life when something is taken away from you that you thought was so important and you find yourself willing to say, "Maybe I'm being invited to a deeper way of living."
Prayer for Today
O Lord Divine, give me new eyes to see the pain of my life as your molding of me into your beloved child.
Lent Online Book Discussion
There is still time to participate in our online Lent Book Discussion. This Lent's featured book is Adam: God's Beloved. 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.
Photo of Henri Nouwen by Frank Hamilton. Used with kind permission.
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Daily Meditation: "Listening as Spiritual Hospitality" for Saturday, 11 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
to me
DAILY MEDITATION "Listening as Spiritual Hospitality" for Saturday, 11 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements, or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, to welcome, to accept.
Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very beings. The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you.
For further reflection...
"When Job's three friends heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was."[Job 2: 11, 13 (NIV)]
Your response...
Have you ever considered the powerful effect your listening can have on others?
Daily Meditation: "Listening as Spiritual Hospitality" for Saturday, 11 March 2017 of The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
to me
DAILY MEDITATION "Listening as Spiritual Hospitality" for Saturday, 11 March 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements, or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, to welcome, to accept.
Listening is much more than allowing another to talk while waiting for a chance to respond. Listening is paying full attention to others and welcoming them into our very beings. The beauty of listening is that, those who are listened to start feeling accepted, start taking their words more seriously and discovering their own true selves. Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends, to get to know their inner selves more fully, and even to dare to be silent with you.
For further reflection...
"When Job's three friends heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was."[Job 2: 11, 13 (NIV)]
Your response...
Have you ever considered the powerful effect your listening can have on others?
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Ministry and Spirituality".
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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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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.
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