Advent Week 1: Nov 26th to Dec 2nd 2017

Reading:  Letters starting with the letter addressed to Jeff on July 13, 1988 (page 176 in book) through to the end of Part II.

Welcome to our first week of readings!  The letters we are reading this week cover a short but important period in Henri’s life from mid-1988 until December 1989.  To better understand this time in Henri’s life, read the introduction to Part II beginning on page 117.  The first letters we read this week are from mid-1988 as Henri is returning to Daybreak following seven months of intensive therapy at a retreat center in Winnipeg for clergy needing spiritual and psychological help. Henri shares with friends the personal and spiritual difficulties he faces as he returns to Daybreak.  Fortunately, he also shares some of the deep spiritual truths he has been learning through this time.

1. In a letter to Jurjen dated September 5, 1989 (p 225) Henri explores the practical application of the first and second commandments.  Henri reminds us that “Jesus calls us to… love without wanting anything in return.”  Henri also refers to the great Saints in history “who were so passionately in love with God that they were completely free to love other people in a deep, affective way without strings attached.”
a) How does one cultivate this type of love?
b) How is this different than the meaning of “love” commonly understood and practiced in our society?

2. If the concept of love highlighted above seems daunting, refer to Henri’s letter to Brian of February 6, 1989 (p 199).  Brian admits he feels incapable of loving people for who they are, rather than for what they bring him.
a) How do you understand Henri’s caution and encouragement to Brian in this letter?

3. Many of the people we are called to love are members of our church community.  In a letter to Rose dated March 12, 1989, Henri encourages us to continue to build the church despite obvious criticisms.  Additionally, in a letter to Seth dated September 26 1989 Henri affirms the church “will never cease to be also the way to God.”
a) If you’ve been struggling in relation to the church, what stands out to you from these to letters?

4. In love/relationships there is so often a struggle for power.  In a letter written to Ed dated June 23, 1989 (p 219) Henri distinguishes between a power that come from God’s love flowing through us,verses a power that relates to our own need for affirmation and success.
a) How are you currently experiencing power in your closest relationships?
b) Henri reminds us that in order for the power in our life/relationships to come from God, we must be deeply rooted in Him. As you consider this letter and many others in this week’s reading, what is Henri’s advice to us as to how to develop deep roots in the Father?

5. In a letter to Annice date October 31, 1988 (p194), Henri clarifies what he means by the concept of the Wounded Healer.
a) Based on these letters, how do you understand Henri’s concept of the Wounded Healer?
b) How does it apply in your own life?

As always, these questions are meant to get our discussion going, but please do not feel bound to them in any way.  You are welcome to share whatever comes up for you in the readings.

Sincerely,

Ray and Brynn

November 22nd – 25th Advent Introductions

Be sure of my love and prayers and my great desire that your Christmas season is filled with joy and peace.
(p 267  Love, Henri)

ReadingLove, Henri Preface, Forward and A Note from the Editor.

Warm greetings during this very special time of year!  We look forward to another rich Advent book discussion with this very special community of people, and we are particularly excited to explore the second half of Love, Henri Letters on the Spiritual Life.

If you’ve joined us in the past, welcome back!  If this is your first time joining us, we are so glad you are here!  We’ll try to make it clear how this all works, but please do not be shy about asking questions.

Each Sunday you will discover a new “post,” indicated by the bold title, on the blog’s Home page.  Click on the title to enter the post.  There you will find the week’s readings and some questions for discussion.  To leave a comment scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will find the “leave a reply” box.  It works best if you always add any new comment to the newest post, even if you are referring to an earlier post. That way, everyone will see your comment. After you submit a comment, either Will, Ray or Brynn need to “approve” it, so it may take a few hours before it actually appears on the blog page.  The instructions on how to submit and reply to comments are also included at the bottom of the reading schedule.  Again, if you have any questions about how the blog works, please feel free to ask.

Over the next few days we invite you to take a few minutes to introduce yourself.  You may choose to share:

a) Your general geographic location
b) To whom or what you dedicate your days or energy, and why
c) How you came to “know/read” Henri Nouwen and whether or not you participated last Advent when we read the first half of Love, Henri or in another of our discussions,
d) Insights, thoughts or questions that arose as you read the Preface, Forward and A Note from the Editor
e) What you hope to experience during this discussion

We very much look forward to hearing from each of you!

Be sure to check back here on the Home page on Sunday November 26th!

In gratitude,

Brynn and Ray

RAY GLENNON: Ray volunteers in his parish Confirmation program and other ministries. He and his wife are members of a Catholic charismatic community. Ray came to know and trust Henri’s written word in a special way in 2004 when he found The Return of the Prodigal Son for sale after Mass at the cathedral in Singapore at an important point in his life.  If you have any questions for Ray, please contact him at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com and you can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/@RayGlennon.

BRYNN LAWRENCE: Brynn has been helping to preserve Henri’s Legacy for the last several years, mainly through her role as project coordinator of the Nouwen Archive Letter Project (2009-2015), and also by co-facilitating many of our online book discussions.