Month: March 2019

Reading: Walk With Jesus, Introduction, Chapter I and II (pages 1-18)

The poor who walk on the roads and through the deserts and rough places
of the world call me to humility–derived from the Latin word
“humus” which means earth or soil.
Walk With Jesus, Introduction, (p. 5)

We have a wonderful group gathering to walk with Jesus this Lent.  It is a joy to greet a number of friends returning for another discussion and and to welcome those of you joining us for the first time. Thank you for your honest and touching introductions. For those of you who shared your pain or suffering, be assured this is a caring, compassionate, and supportive community. We’re glad your here.

The visual arts were an important pathway to the spiritual life for Henri Nouwen. You probably know that his most popular book, The Return of the Prodigal Son–A Story of Homecoming, was a inspired by and a reflection on the famous painting by Rembrandt, a Dutch countryman. Henri was also deeply touched by the work of Vincent Van Gogh, the Dutch post-Impressionist painter and one of the influential figures in the history of Western art.  As Henri notes in the Preface, “It has been a real grace for me to reflect on Sister Helen David’s Stations. What moved me most was that these Stations were created
. . . to help us unite our own broken humanity with the humanity of these men, women, and children portrayed in these painting.”  In order to fully appreciate Henri’s reflections, I encourage you to sit with and ponder Sister Helen David’s poignant drawings.  In a simple yet powerful way they draw us in to the passion and suffering of Jesus, God-with-us, through the trials and tribulations confronting the poor on a daily basis.

Henri follows a threefold approach in his reflection on each Station. First, he places us in Sister Helen David’s picture. He then transports us to Jerusalem to join Jesus on his way to Calvary and shows us how Jesus’s suffering is related to the poor in the picture. Finally, with the suffering of the poor and the passion of Jesus as inspiration, Henri challenges us walk with Jesus and to build God’s Kingdom here and now.

You might consider using Henri’s approach as you stop and pray at each Station.

1. Ponder on Sister Helen David’s drawing.  Take note of your observations, impressions, reactions, and any questions that my arise.
2. Read Henri’s reflection.  How does Henri’s reaction to the drawing compare to yours?  Does Henri’s description of Jesus’ suffering at this Station give you new insight into your life and faith journey? How do you respond to Henri’s challenge to walk with Jesus? What concrete steps will you take and when?
3. 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 to strengthen your spiritual life

Please share with the group the insights you have gained to the degree you are comfortable.  This is an opportunity to share and discuss what came up for you when reflecting Sister Helen David’s drawing and Henri’s reflection.  You may choose to share your thoughts by responding to the questions above, but please don’t feel bound to them.  Please feel free to share whatever is on your heart. While many participants comment at least weekly, you are welcome to comment as frequently as you like  You are encouraged to respond to the comments of others.  This is how we build community.   And if you choose to follow along silently, you are welcome here as well.

Once again, thank you for joining us for this Lenten discussion.  We’re glad you’re here and we look forward to hearing from you.

Peace and all good.
Ray

“There is immense pain in the wide world around us; there is immense pain in the small world within us. But all pain belongs to Jesus and is transformed by him into glorified wounds that allow
us to recognize him as our risen Lord.”
Henri Nouwen
Walk With Jesus, Preface

Reading: Publisher’s Note 25th Anniversary Edition and Preface

A warm welcome to each of you as we begin our Lenten journey together. I’m looking forward with joy and anticipation to greeting old friends returning for another fruitful discussion and to meeting new friends joining us for the first time. As in years past, a spirit-filled community of people will gather to read and reflect on the words of Henri Nouwen and to share their wisdom, insights, and stories with each other.  Thank you for joining us as we “come apart and rest a while” (Mark 6:31) during this Lenten season.  This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, connect, and grow as we prepare for Easter.

This Lent we’re reading and discussing Henri’s Walk With Jesus – Stations of the Cross. Henri’s meditations were written to accompany Sister Helen David’s the powerful illustrations of our suffering brothers and sisters.  As Henri’s friend and publisher Robert Ellsberg notes, “Henri Nouwen promoted a central, consistent theme: that the Christian life is a matter of following in the footsteps of Jesus.” I can think of no better way of doing so than by joining Jesus on the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows).

These illustrations were inspired by painful situations affecting specific people in particular locations in the late-20th century.  However, the poverty, suffering, violence, and abandonment that are portrayed are ever with us and we are called to respond with love and compassion as Jesus did.  Henri was believed that what was most personal was the most universal.  These meditations and illustrations are timeless and, as Henri wrote, “able to touch the hearts of people living in very different places, in very different times, and in very different circumstances.” (Nomura and Nouwen, Desert Wisdom, Introduction. Orbis Books, 2001).

But before we get started, let’s briefly describe how the discussion works. If you’ve joined us before, this will serve as review:

Each Sunday during Lent 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 Ray as moderator or Will at the Nouwen Society 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. If you have any questions about the blog,  please feel free to ask.  To ask a question you can submit a comment or send Ray an email at the address in his bio below.

As we begin our journey together, it’s always nice to learn a little bit about each of you. Over the next few days you are invited 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 in a previous discussion.
d) Insights, thoughts or questions that arose as you read the Publisher’s Note and Preface.
e) What you hope to experience during this discussion

Welcome to each of you and I look forward to your introductions!

We begin our Walk With Jesus in earnest this Sunday, March 10th.

In gratitude,

Ray

RAY GLENNON: Ray volunteers in his parish Confirmation program and other ministries. He and his wife are members of the Secular Franciscan Order (OFS) and 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.  He is currently leading a six-week adult education course on “Henri Nouwen and A Spirituality of Living.”

You may contact Ray at ray.glennon@1972.usna.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/@RayGlennon.