The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey Through Anguish to Freedom
by Henri J.M. Nouwen
Welcome to the Henri Nouwen Lent Book Discussion!
We are delighted to present The Inner Voice of Love: A Journey through Anguish to Freedom as the featured book for Lent 2023.
The Inner Voice of Love is a journal of Henri’s darkest days, the most difficult period of his life. It has, however, been called a life-changing book; it gives us deep insight into Henri’s struggles that led to the most fruitful time in his life and to the publication of his spiritual masterpiece The Return of the Prodigal Son and Life of the Beloved, among others. This book is for everyone who is seeking spiritual growth. It is ideal for anyone looking for solace from the brokenness, grief or disappointment that touches each of our lives in one way or the other.
It is written during a time of recovery from a breakdown that left Henri feeling he had lost everything: self-esteem, the energy to live and work, the ability to love and be loved… even his hope in God. But out of this incredible personal anguish comes healing and hope – a light to dissipate the personal darkness in which Henri found himself enveloped.
Henri’s journal reflects a fierce inner struggle following what he called “an interrupted friendship,” a friendship that he had come to depend on, only to find himself seemingly abandoned and rejected. He left his community, went into counseling therapy, and during this period, after each counseling session wrote a “spiritual imperative” — “a command to myself that had emerged from our sessions. These imperatives were directed to my own heart. They were not meant for anyone but myself.” Which is precisely what makes them so powerful.
“Exhaustion, burnout, and depression are not signs that you are doing God’s will. God is gentle and loving. God desires to give you a deep sense of safety in God’s love. Once you have allowed yourself to experience that love fully, you will be better able to discern who you are being sent to in God’s name.”
-Henri Nouwen, “The Inner Voice of Love”
We hope you will join us during this season of Lent, as we read through this meaningful and challenging book, that will most definitely offer courage and hope to us all.
Our discussion moderator is Ray Glennon, familiar to many of our blog readers who have participated in previous book discussions.
Need a copy of the book? It is available at many bookstores, If you don’t have a copy of “The Inner Voice of Love”, you can purchase it through Amazon USA or Amazon Canada.
Things get underway on February 22, 2023, with welcome and introductions . The reading schedule is now posted and can be accessed by clicking on the 2023 Lenten Reading Schedule link in the top black bar. We’re looking forward to a meaningful, spirited and inspired discussion! Be sure to tell your friends. Everyone is welcome.