The Daily Meditation: "Friends and Their Limitations" The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Tuesday, 1 May 2018

The Daily Meditation: "Friends and Their Limitations" The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Tuesday, 1 May 2018

DAILY MEDITATION: "Friends and Their Limitations" for Tuesday, 1 May 2018

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We need friends. Friends guide us, care for us, confront us in love, console us in times of pain. Although we speak of "making friends," friends cannot be made. Friends are free gifts from God. But God gives us the friends we need when we need them if we fully trust in God's love.
Friends cannot replace God. They have limitations and weaknesses like we have. Their love is never faultless, never complete. But in their limitations they can be signposts on our journey towards the unlimited and unconditional love of God. Let's enjoy the friends whom God has sent on our way.

For further reflection...
"... for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." (I Samuel 16: 7 (NRSV))
Your response...
Do you have a friend who helps point you to the unconditional love of God? Can you be that person for someone today?
Comment on this meditation.

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "A Cry for Mercy".
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The Daily Meditation: "Losing and Gaining Our Lives" The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Monday, 30 April 2018

DAILY MEDITATION: "Losing and Gaining Our Lives" for Monday, 30 April 2018

Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com

The great paradox of life is that those who lose their lives will gain them. This paradox becomes visible in very ordinary situations. If we cling to our friends, we may lose them, but when we are nonpossessive in our relationships, we will make many friends. When fame is what we seek and desire, it often vanishes as soon as we acquire it, but when we have no need to be known, we might be remembered long after our deaths. When we want to be in the center, we easily end up on the margins, but when we are free enough to be wherever we must be, we find ourselves often in the center.
Giving away our lives for others is the greatest of all human arts. This will gain us our lives.

For further reflection...
"Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again." (Ecclesiastes 11: 1 (NIV))
Your response...
What is one way you can practice giving away your life as Henri describes?
Comment on this meditation.

Continue the Inspiration
Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "!Gracias!".
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"HNS Spring Appeal - Thank You!" The Henri Nouwen Society in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for Monday, 30 April 2018
THANK YOU!

Dear Friends,
I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you who supported us on our very important Spring Appeal that will help us develop new resources to touch the lives of those who fell isolated, rejected and alone.
If you haven't had the opportunity to make a contribution, you can still do so through our website or by using the DONATE button below. Your gift will make a real difference in the life of someone who is lonely by helping us offer hope and spiritual encouragement through the words and wisdom of Henri Nouwen.

From all of us at the Henri Nouwen Society, thank you.
Faithfully,

Karen Pascal
Executive Director
Henri Nouwen Society

1(866(226-2158

www.henrinouwen.org

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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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