Reading: letters on pages 61 (to David, dated April 2, 1982) through 113 (end of part I)
Welcome to our second week of discussion! It was lovely to hear from each of you last week, and get a small glimpse into your hearts. We have another inspiring week ahead.
1) In his letter written to Ruth on February 3, 1982 (p 83) Henri responds to a reader who, like each of us, is longing for a more personal, intimate and direct relationship with God. He points her to gratitude and intercession.
a) You are invited to write a prayer of gratitude. Please share it with us!
b) You are invited to write a prayer of intercession for people you know, or for people you don’t know but of whose suffering you are aware of. Share it with us to the degree it is appropriate.
c) How do you sense these two steps can help you to develop a more personal relationship with God?
2) In the letter to Senator Hatfield from September 30, 1984 (p98) Henri writes about the great temptation faced by every human being to allow ones identity to be determined what people say about us. This is, no doubt, something all of us can identify with. Henri invites us to believe the truth that we are people infinitely loved by God even though we are sinners. Henri writes, “Your true name is the name God has given to you, and no human being can take that name away from you.”
a) Consider the times you’ve found yourself tempted to try to prove to others that they are wrong in what they say (or might be thinking) of you. Based on this letter, how might you live those times differently now and into the future?
3) In his letter to Mark from September 4, 1982 (p 71), Henri writes of his desire to be “present to people with all that I have.”
a) Although Henri is writing as a priest, by our baptism as Christians we are all called to love and serve other people. What insights have you gained in this letter that may help you to better minister to those people in your life?
4) Again, these letters reflect the way Henri cared for people around him, often by sharing from the heart his own experiences.
a) In this set of letters, does anything inspire you or stand out to you about the way that Henri cares for others, and responds to their life experiences?
As always, feel free to share whatever comes up for you in this week’s reading. We look forward to hearing from you… whether a very simple comment or a more extended reflection. We value each of you.
Yours,
Ray and Brynn