Category: Advent 2015 – Inner Voice of Love

Reading: Conclusion ( p 116 to 118)

We are nearing the end of our Advent journey together and we want to express our deep gratitude  to each of you for joining us along the way.  Because of you and the words and spirit of Henri Nouwen, a beautiful community has gathered and grown in faith and understanding–the fruit of your participation in the discussion, both by posting comments and quietly reflecting in your heart.

In our reading this week  Henri looks back on the spiritual imperatives with the perspective of eight years of “radical changes… (moving) through anguish to freedom, through depression to peace, through despair to hope”  and he concludes, “I have heard the inner voice of love, deeper and stronger than ever.”

This week, in what for many are the hectic final days before we celebrate the birth of Jesus,  you are invited to give yourself the gift of time to once again reflect on the spiritual imperatives that touched your heart during our time together.  You might prayerfully consider the following questions:

1. Were their any connections or common themes in the imperatives that touched your heart?   If so, what were they and why are they important to you now?
2. Why did these imperative touch you at this particular point in your life?
   a) Was it a result of something happening now?   If so, how does the imperative help your challenge you to grow?  b) Or did you recall a personal experience from an earlier time? If so, can you see how you have grown as a result of that experience?
3. Have the imperatives that touched your heart helped you to hear the inner voice of love and how will you respond? 

As always, you are invited share your responses and other reflections with the group to the degree you are comfortable.

Once again, we want to thank you for joining us and for enriching our Advent experience and book discussion.  We wish you and yours a blessed and joyous Christmas season.

May the Lord give you peace.

Ray and Brynn

P.S.  And we hope that many of you will join us for our Lenten book discussion beginning in mid-February.  Be on the lookout for more information.

Reading: Imperatives on pages 89 to 113 (Imperatives 50 through 63)

This week we are reflecting on fourth set of Henri’s spiritual imperatives. And what a meaningful and insightful journey we have been on together–thanks to everyone that is participating in whatever manner you deem appropriate.

It is worth remembering how these imperatives came to be.  They are  insights Henri gained during a period of  “mentally and spiritually debilitating anguish” that caused him to leave his new home at L’Arche to surrender to his spiritual guides who, over a six month period, were able to lead him to a new freedom resulting in his return home and the recommitment to his ministry and writing.  As Henri explained in the Introduction, “Nearly every day, usually immediately after meeting with my spiritual guides, I wrote a ‘spiritual imperative’–a command to myself that emerged from our session.  These imperatives were directed to my own heart.  They were not meant for anyone but myself.” (p xvi-xvii)  Nor were they meant to tell a story or to be read in any particular order.  We have ordered the readings solely to focus the discussion.

Beginning next Sunday we will take the last few days before Christmas to look back across all four weeks to see if there are any common themes or opportunities for growth that arose for you during our Advent journey.  But that is next week.  This week’s readings provide plenty more to reflect upon.  Remember that you certainly  don’t have to read and reflect on all the imperatives!  As Henri said, “These spiritual imperatives are meant to be like salt for the meal of your life.  Too much salt might spoil it, but a little at a time can make it tasty.”  Considering Henri’s advice, we once again offer this process if it is of help to you:

1. Briefly look over the 14 imperatives assigned to this week (50 through 63), either by simply reading the title or by lightly skimming the text.
2. Select a few (perhaps 2 or 3) imperatives that stand out to you, and read them thoroughly, perhaps several times.
3.  Consider:
   1. The thought or concept that stands out to you
   2. How does it relates to your personal experience?  Look at your experience with the benefit of Henri’s insight.  Does that help you to see things differently or to know yourself better?
   3. What is God speaking to your heart? What do the Scriptures say?*
   4. How you will respond?  Carefully (prayerfully) consider how your heart responds to the insights gained during your reflection. Are there small steps you can take to incorporate these insights and to move toward spiritual freedom in your life?  Perhaps you would like to write your own Spiritual Imperative.
   5. Pray!
4. Please share with the group to the degree you are comfortable

Anticipating another rich week together!

Ray and Brynn

Reading: Imperatives on pages 57 to 88 (Imperatives 33 through 49)

You all continue to amaze us and honour the group by journeying with us this Advent.  We want to thank each of you for your participation whether you are following along silently or blessing us with your honest, open and profound sharing.  It is obvious that each and every comment has touched another person in the group – and that includes the comment you shared!  So thank you.

This week’s readings provide plenty more to reflect upon.  Remember that you certainly  don’t have to read and reflect on all the imperatives!  You might select the ones that seem in line with the theme that God has been speaking to you about, or just focus on ones that stand out to you.  Again, we offer this process if it is of help to you:

1. Briefly look over the 16 imperatives assigned to this week (33 through 48), either by simply reading the title or by lightly skimming the text.
2. Select a few (perhaps 2 or 3) imperatives that stand out to you, and read them thoroughly, perhaps several times.
3.  Consider:
   1. The thought or concept that stands out to you
   2. How does it relates to your personal experience?  Look at your experience with the benefit of Henri’s insight.  Does that help you to see things differently or to know yourself better?
   3. What is God speaking to your heart? What do the Scriptures say?*
   4. How you will respond?  Carefully (prayerfully) consider how your heart responds to the insights gained during your reflection. Are there small steps you can take to incorporate these insights and to move toward spiritual freedom in your life?  Perhaps you would like to write your own Spiritual Imperative.
   5. Pray!
4. Please share with the group to the degree you are comfortable

Anticipating another rich week together!

Ray and Brynn