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Henri Nouwen at Immaculate Heart Hermitage, Big Sur, California courtesy of The Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives and Research Collection,
Toronto, ON and the American Theological Library Association.
A Time to Receive and a Time to Give
It is important to know when we can give attention and when we need attention.
Often we are inclined to give, give, and give without ever asking anything in return.
We may think that this is a sign of generosity or even heroism. But it
might be little else than a proud attitude that says: "I don't need
help from others. I only want to give." When we keep giving without
receiving we burn out quickly.
Only when we pay careful attention to our own physical, emotional, mental, and
spiritual needs can we be, and remain, joyful givers.
There is a time to give and a time to receive. We need equal time for both if we want to live healthy lives.
excerpted from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco
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Active WaitingWaiting is essential to the spiritual life. But waiting as a disciple of Jesus is not an empty waiting. It is a waiting with a promise in our hearts that makes already present what we are waiting for. We wait during Advent for the birth of Jesus. We wait after Easter for the coming of the Spirit, and after the ascension of Jesus we wait for his coming again in glory. We are always waiting, but it is a waiting in the conviction that we have already seen God's footsteps. Waiting for God is an active, alert - yes, joyful - waiting. As we wait we remember him for whom we are waiting, and as we remember him we create a community ready to welcome him when he comes. excerpted from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco
Keeping Close to the Word of Jesus The words of Jesus can keep us erect and confident in the midst of the turmoil of
the end-time. They can support us, encourage us, and give us life even when everything
around us speaks of death. Jesus' words are food for eternal life. They do much
more than give us ideas and inspiration. They lead us into the eternal life while
we are still being clothed in mortal flesh.
When we keep close to the word of Jesus, reflecting on it, "chewing" on it, eating
it as food for the soul, we will enter even more deeply into the everlasting love
of God.
excerpted from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco
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Energizing Visions
Are the great visions of the ultimate peace among all people and the ultimate harmony of all creation just utopian fairy tales? No, they are not! They correspond to the deepest longings of the human heart and point to the truth waiting to be revealed beyond all lies and deceptions. These visions nurture our souls and strengthen our hearts. They offer us hope when we are close to despair, courage when we are tempted to give up on life, and trust when suspicion seems the more logical attitude.
Without these visions our deepest aspirations, which give us the energy to overcome great obstacles and painful setbacks, will be dulled and our lives will become flat, boring, and finally destructive. Our visions enable us to live the full life.
excerpted from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco
Remaining Anchored in Love
When we are anxious we are inclined to over prepare. We wonder what to say when
we are attacked, how to respond when we are being interrogated, and what defence
to put up when we are accused. It is precisely this turmoil that makes us lose
our self-confidence and creates in us a debilitating self-consciousness.
Jesus tells us not to prepare at all and to trust that he will give us the words
and wisdom we need. What is important is not that we have a little speech ready
but that we remain deeply anchored in the love of Jesus, secure about who we are
in this world and why we are here. With our hearts connected to the heart of Jesus,
we will always know what to say when the time to speak comes.
excerpted from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco
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