DAILY MEDITATION: "Mastering Evil with Good" for Saturday, 2 September 2017
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The apostle Paul writes to the Romans: "Bless your persecutors; never curse them, bless them. ... Never pay back evil with evil. ... Never try to get revenge. ... If your enemy is hungry, give him something to eat; if thirsty, something to drink. ... Do not be mastered by evil, but master evil with good" (Romans 12:14-21). These words cut to the heart of the spiritual life. They make it clear what it means to choose life, not death, to choose blessings not curses. But what is asked of us here goes against the grain of our human nature. We will only be able to act according to Paul's words by knowing with our whole beings that what we are asked to do for others is what God has done for us. 
For further reflection...
Let no-one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and he himself cannot be tempted by anyone. [James 1: 13 (NIV)]
Your response...
Take a moment and meditate on what God has done for you.
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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
-------The Henri Nouwen Society of Toronto, Ontario, Canada - Daily Meditation for Friday, 1 September 2017: "Claiming Our God Given Selves"
DAILY MEDITATION: "Claiming Our God Given Selves" for Friday, 1 September 2017
Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com
When we have been deeply hurt by another person, it is nearly impossible not to have hostile thoughts, feelings of anger or hatred, and even a desire to take revenge. All of this often happens spontaneously, without much inner control. We simply find ourselves brooding about what we are going to say or do to pay back the person who has hurt us. To choose blessings instead of curses in such a situation asks for an enormous leap of faith. It calls for a willingness to go beyond all our urges to get even and to choose a life-giving response.Sometimes this seems impossible. Still, whenever we move beyond our wounded selves and claim our God-given selves, we give life not just to ourselves but also to the ones who have offended us.
For further reflection...
I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? [Psalm 121:1]
Your response...
Do you have any wounds that make offering forgiveness difficult for you?
Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "The Return of the Prodigal Son".
Visit our Bookstore:
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:
The Henri Nouwen Society
214 - 95 Saint Joseph Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 2R9, Canada
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