Reading: Here and Now, Afterword (p. 201 to 202)
My words were only to encourage you to find your own words,
and my thoughts were only to help you
discover your own thoughts.
Here and Now, Afterword (p. 201)
Friends,
As we come to the end of our Advent journey, my heartfelt thanks to each of you for joining us along the way. Your active engagement, your deep and honest comments, and your commitment to establishing a caring virtual community are a powerful example of what it means to live in the Spirit, Here and Now. You have taken Henri’s words to heart and used his meditations as a springboard to the thoughts, insights, and encouragement you have so freely and beautifully shared.
In these last days before the coming of Jesus, you are encouraged to look back and to identify a few meditations or a chapter that especially touched your heart during our time together. You might consider: Why were Henri’s words meaningful to you now? Are there things in your life that you see differently as a result? Is there a discipline you plan to adopt, a practice you commit to strengthen, or an action you intend to take Here and Now as a result of this Advent journey? Please share your reflections to the extent you are comfortable.
At the time Henri wrote these reflections he had been living at L’Arche Daybreak for about eight years. He had finally found the home for which he had been searching his entire adult life. I thought you might enjoy seeing a photo of Henri at Christmas time at Daybreak. Henri’s friend and teacher Adam (p.112), is to his immediate left.
May you and yours have a blessed and joyous Christmas. And, in the words of St. Francis, may the Lord give you peace.
Ray
P.S. I hope that many of you will rejoin us for our Lenten book discussion. We will begin on Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019. Watch the Daily Meditations email or visit the Henri Nouwen Society website for the book selection and further information in the coming weeks.