Part Two: Chapter Six - “Homecoming to Gratitude” pgs 78-90
1. From Listening, what are the images or insights that struck you while reading this chapter? What are these passages saying to you about your present life?
2. From the small quotes written in the margins throughout the book, share one from Part Two: “The Invisible Exile of Resentment” that impressed you.
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May 23rd, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Thanks for your insights Liz, they inspire me to really listen for a “word” from God when difficult or challenging times surface in life, as you did.
I guess one thing that stood out for me in this chapter was the invitation to a ‘new’ way of living that is the opposite of a shallow way of living. The idea of allowing those around you to gird you and to lead you would you would rather not go. Wow! Curiously enough, that is how I’ve responded once to someone who asked me ‘What is marriage life like?’ ‘It’s great’, I responded, ‘and it can lead you (spiritually, emotionally) into places where you would really rather not go’. In my opinion, it’s worth going into those places. Henri Nouwen invites us to consider being led by others, including those who are in our circles (like spouses)because that path will eventually lead to intimacy with the Divine. As I reflected on this, I realized that I’ve been resisting fo follow a few potential ‘leaders’ in my own life and I think I will return to them now with a bit more of an open stance so as to let them lead me.
My favorite quote:
pg 89 “If there be anywhere on earth a lover is always safe, I know nothing of it, for it waas not shown to me. But this was shown: that in falling and rising again we are always kept in the same precious love. (Julien of Norwich)
Kim
May 19th, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Thank you Kim for your support and for agreeing to lead us, even with your busy life. It is nice to have “companions on the journey”! (aren’t you glad you can’t hear me sing it
Peace to all.
May 19th, 2009 @ 9:06 am
Rose, I have really appreciated your prayers for us all the way through these reflections and for the community of L’Arche Daybreak for the loss of Bill. Please move at the pace that you are comfortable with and don’t feel pressure to share what you are discovering. Just remember that we are all in this together and each person is bringing gifts to this journey. The gifts you are giving us are support, prayers and an honest witness to the challenging “exercise” aspect of this book.
Kim
May 18th, 2009 @ 10:57 pm
I just wanted to say that it is making me feel so much better as I read this section to see that Henri encountered so many of the identical struggles as me. I’ve always admired him and can look at his situations with the eyes of compassion. I’ve previously looked at my same feelings with scorn; asking myself how I could possibly be a beloved daughter with these resentments and thoughts. The sharings throughout are most helpful but this is a lot of work for sure. Everything is too painful so I’ve chosen to only share vaguely but respect those of you who really do have an open heart herein. I’m having enough trouble with my journal entries being just between me and God at this point. Actually, I poured out my heart the other day and forgot the security characters so it got wiped out and after a few “choice words”, I was then grateful to not have opened that part of my journal to “the public” at this time.
May 16th, 2009 @ 8:04 am
There is inspiring testimony on this blog!!! The quote which moved me the most was on page 87 “To understand the enemy both within us and outside of us is an important part of forgiveness.” From Becoming Human by Jean Vanier. Henri Nouwen’s further explaining just beside the quote “This is only possible as we adopt thanksgiving as our way of living. Otherwise THEIR resentment connects with OURS and that only makes things worse. In the grateful life we no longer listen to another’s resentment AS AN AFFIRMATION OF OUR OWN. Nor do we judge. We simply receive it in love.” To me this is very, very compelling reasoning and the hope of people of faith working all over the world and in our own communities for God’s Peace. I guess the father in the painting of the prodigal son knew the crosses that both of his sons carried and they, through their experiences in the relationship, became aware too.
May 15th, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
In Chapter 6 Henri is teaching me the value of compassion, of acknowledging vulnerability, with no need for control or domination, being conscious of the need for faith and moving beyond judgment to gratitude for differences and uniqueness of each human being. I liked Henri’s story of the children who did not feel that it was unfair for all the children to receive the same reward, even though some had worked longer than others.
I can recall countless instances of meetings and experiences which opened mind and heart to new insights.
When coming out of a coma in trauma center after auto accident, the doctor gently asked me whether I knew whee I was. When I said, “No,” he told me the Trauma Center of S.F. General Hospital. For only a second there was panic, yet in the very next second, although I could not yet open my eyes nor move, my mind went through the words of the 23rd Psalm, and I kept going until the words, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” I said to myself, I knew, with strong conviction “This too is that house, because that house is Spirit.” And thus I had “returned home” in spite of circumstances that were not what one would desire.
On another occasion in the hospital the night before major surgery, the anesthesiologist visited me to inform me that there were no good veins in arms, wrists, legs, ankles, and that I would need a “cut-down” in the neck for the transfusion ordered. He further informed me that the surgeon was to leave town immediately after the surgery and would thus have no time to wait for the cut-down. Rather than despair, I was blessed to turn at once to God, and I prayed, “I you want to keep me here in this body, you will; if you do not, you won’t. Good night, God.” I went to sleep. The next morning I awoke with the only words in my consciousness: “This is the day the Lord hath made; rrejoice and be glad in it.” The words came to me in the imperative. Consequently I was at peace through the cut-down, grateful for God’s Love and blessing, to the surprise of the nurses who kept apologizing for giving me pain. I had to look up those words in the Bible; did not know book, chapter, or verse until discovering Psalm 118:24. Praise God!
When my daughter told me of the suicide of a teacher of hers when she was in elementary school, I prayed to know what to say to her. I heard the words coming from me, “He forgot there is always hope.” This appeared to console my daughter, and I knew this confidence must remain with her during her whole life.
Meeting Mother Teresa — seeing her on a half dozen occasions at Profesion of Novices, was unbelieveable blessing. On the first and last occasion a large group of us waited in line outside the church, and she took both of our hands in both of hers. Great blessing.
I also believe that I “meet” great souls through their writing, and I am everlastingly grateful for meeting through their books our dear Henri and Dr. Schweitzer and those who are true heroes of peace. I had the blessing of a personal visit to my home of Br. David Steindl-Rast, the Introduction for whose first book, Gratefulness, The Heart Of Prayer, was written by Henri.
Of all the quotes in Part Two I want to comment on Henri’s prayer from tape of workshop, page 88, where Henri says, ‘Love is being born in me over and over again. Thank you, Lord. Thank you.”
May 14th, 2009 @ 11:12 am
Warm greetings to all!
We have recently added an audio/visual presentation to our website that I thought you might be interested in. It is comprised of excerpts from a workshop Henri gave on the parable of the prodigal son and photos of Henri with family and friends. The content of the workshop inspired “Home Tonight”. To view, please go to: HOME TONIGHT WITH HENRI NOUWEN.
Blessings,
Maureen