November 5 - From popularity to ministry.
One of the things about Nouwen that has spoken most dramatically to me was his move from the prestigious world of academia to a community of handicapped people. It speaks to me of the model of Jesus who left heaven to become like us. This chapter - “From popularity to ministry” - speaks to the issue of leaving the world of accomplishment - the world of the self-made man/woman. How do you see this in yourself or your spiritual community? Share observations of this move from “being a stunt man” to being clay in the hands of God.
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November 13th, 2007 @ 7:42 am
It seems to me that Henri learned to live in the world rather than be of it when he entered ministry at L’Arche. He continued writing, speaking, traveling and publishing his writings- he used his gifts till his death. L’Arche melted, opened and renewed his heart- he often spoke of finding Truth and Love in those who could never be a part of the world of accomplishment, but none the less had and shared all that was lacking in that world. He was enriched and grace filled through those people the world all too often underestimates and misunderstands. I think Henri learned to be a true man of accomplishment through the residents of L’Arche. He lived with and as the Beloved in that community- he found the Beloved through them, in them and with them.
November 12th, 2007 @ 4:42 pm
I live in an area that has a number of mega churches (and lots of wouldbe’s!). And a number of pastors who look with envy on them and who have adopted the American motto that “big is [always] better.” And so it is no surprise that I value Nouwen’s comment (p. 45 in my edition): “…a whole new type of leadership is asked for in the Church of tomorrow, a leadership which is not modeled on the power games of the world, but on the servant-leader, Jesus, who came to give his live for the salvation of many.” Preach it, Henri!
November 12th, 2007 @ 10:10 am
I thank God every day for leading me to this web-site and more important this community. Thank you for your openness. I excitedly read the daily email and then our reading blog group. I know I am meant to slow down while contemplating the book. You have each shared reflections which show what Henri talked of. It is crucial that each of you take time for yourselves as you maintain your caregiver roles. This is a very hard task for such giving people.
My prayer is that you are given the energy to keep your strength up as you follow your call and our group support ,with God’s,via Henri’s book,sustains you.
Peace
Judith
November 11th, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
At one time I was proud of myself for putting myself through Univ. with hard work and real determination. I was proud of my Teaching degree and how much I loved teaching. We had wonderful plans for our kids, etc. But our awesome God had completely different plans. He had been leading me gradually into the arms of the mentally and physically handicapped and gradually making it less and less possible to teach - something that I loved doing.
I loved working the intellectually and functionally impaired even more and now it is my life long occupation with my three handicapped adult children, plus I am physically handicapped as well. We were once very active in our Church as a liturgical ministers and many other things. Do I miss that? No. And just when we thought we were retired, the good Lord showed us that our daughter needs our help with her little boy now 18 mos. A month ago we had our own suite and we could relax at night, we are now joint owners of a home and living with our daughter and her son. Our time is no longer our own. I definitely relate to Henri Nouwen and to the statement, “He will lead you to a place you would rather not go.”
Our choices are so often not His. Now my hubby has had major surgery 10 or 11 days ago for a malignant melanoma on his head that was quite large with a skin graft and lymph node removed. We are waiting for results of that biopsy to see if it has spread. But we have long ago learned to roll with the punches and accept life as it comes. Easy? No. But to accept and continue to live, laugh and love we must do in order to continue to love as Jesus asks us to. Thus today our ministry is by how we live and what we do, not what we say or do in our Church.
November 9th, 2007 @ 6:12 pm
I am relating to our companion Henri, in a small way, in his arrival to L’ Arche, and how his life changed from making his own schedules to his new life of being held accountable almost hour-to-hour.
My father has Alzheimer’s, and recently I had to put him in a more secure home with people who are not as mobile and need more physical care than he does. The adjustment hasn’t been easy and at times, he gets depressed and lonely.
What is a relief to me on one hand, of him not getting lost and knowing he is safe, to the other hand of him calling and needing me more than before. Reassuring him that he is at home, that I love him, and that I will not leave him, seems to comfort him.
Between work, taking care of my family, and serving our church doesn’t leave much time for me to swing on the trapeze or to be spectacular.
God’s Grace has made it all possible in crowding out those things which lead me away from Him to the life He has given me. However, it’s just hard at times to believe that–OK, I’m going to be alright not doing the things I want to do and this is the life He wants me to lead. Ps 139, For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. Have a great weekend!