Reading: Conclusion and Epilogue (p 91 to p 101)
We are coming to the end of our Lenten journey together. This week Henri offers us the opportunity to look back along the path we have traveled; to reflect on what we have seen, heard, and learned; and, perhaps more important, to look ahead to where we are being led In the Name of Jesus in our lives and ministries.
In the conclusion Henri summarizes the insights he gained in his journey of downward mobility from Harvard to L’Arche. And for Henri it was truly a “journey of the heart”— to use the title of a wonderful video about the Henri’s life. This week you are encouraged to reflect, as Henri did, on how the temptations to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful influence your life, ministry, and role as a Christian leader today. (And remember, we are all ministers and Christian leaders in our own way.) Then consider how Peter’s final encounter with Jesus in John’s Gospel might help you better understand your true calling. Finally, ponder the disciplines of contemplative prayer, confession and forgiveness, and theological reflection to see how you might adopt them as powerful tools for Christian leadership in your life. Having done so, you are invited to share your thoughts and insights to the extent you are comfortable.
In the Epilogue Henri tells “the rest of the story”* of his trip with Bill Van Buren to present these “Reflections on Christian Leadership” in Washington, DC. Henri beautifully and powerfully reminds us that Jesus sent his disciples out together; similarly, Jesus calls us to share our spiritual journey, our ministry, and our Christian leadership with others. One last question you might want to consider: Who are the Bills in your life—the people with whom you meet in Jesus name (Matt 18:20) to help you to spread the good news of the Gospel message? Share your thoughts.
As always, I want to express my deep gratitude and heartfelt thanks to each of you that have made this such a worthwhile Lenten book discussion whether you posted comments or read and reflected silently. I also want to thank Will Finlay at the Henri Nouwen Society for his support in making these discussions possible. Lastly, I want to thank long-time moderator Brynn Lawrence for her inspiration and leadership of these discussion for many years. Brynn did not participate this Lent to devote her time to her husband and new baby Leo.
Let me leave you with this. Upon landing in Toronto after the flight home from Washington, Henri said to Bill: “Thanks so much for coming with me. It was a wonderful trip, and what we did, we did together in Jesus’ name.” Those words apply equally well to those of you that have gathered here to share this Lenten journey together. May each of you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter season, and may you live the rest of your life, In the Name of Jesus.
Peace and all good.
Ray
*A phrase made famous by radio commentator Paul Harvey.
As we finish our Lenten journey together, I am looking back to Ray’s reflection prompt for this week. He recalls Henri’s words to Bill at the end of their trip: “Thanks so much for coming with me. It was a wonderful trip, and what we did, we did together in Jesus’ name.” Ray goes on to add, “Those words apply equally well to those of you that have gathered here to share this Lenten journey together.” I agree that this has indeed been another wonderful exercise in deep reflection and sharing. Thanks to Ray and all of you. A blessed Easter to all.
While no one reading this post (including me) may be able to regularly post a comment to Henri’s daily reflection, I am going to try to do more to think deeply about Henri’s words of wisdom and to perhaps post my thoughts and prayers on that site more frequently. Perhaps we will meet there from time to time. If not, I look forward to our “reunion” in the summer book club.
My heart is full of gratitude for each of you who have shared here and for all of you who follow in your heart and prayers.
To be honest, I always get a little apprensive as Holy Week approaches. I know that Jesus did not die on the Cross to make me feel guilty, but rather to show the depths of His love for me–but old habits and thought patterns are hard to break and as much as I know that the love and power of the Holy Spirit will abound in our world in this season of great grace–there’s an enemy who seeks to distract, divert, and devour us and my heart and soul trembles at the thought.
As others have asked, I join in the plea; may we hold each other in love and prayer; may we experience the power of our vulnerable community of little ones; and may God be blessed in our Easter victories! Amen
Only through the graces of this season and this community could I be open to mercy, to surrender of my own preconceptions of ministry-holiness-God’s love made visible in His Son.
Another thing that truly struck me in reading this book is how Pope Francis seems to be the very epitome of the Christian Leader that Henri describes.
“In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, cares, reaches out and wants to heal.”. Does that not describe our Pope? How prophetic–30 years later we can witness that Abba is answering his prayer-one heart. one person, one community at a time.
May we, the Church of the 21st century, continue to be open to grace, to learn true humility–to continue to offer our meager gifts while being totally rooted in the love, mercy and blessings Abba longs to bestow.
Apologizing up front for the lemgth of this post, will probably break it up into sections, but when I finally took the time to reflect and pray, the words just started to flow from my heart…I offer them in hope and trust; through the love of Jesus. From this day’s journal entry:
As usual, Henri’s book has targeted my heart of hearts–my soul. The first thing to amaze me was the fact that this book was written 30 years ago–but is so relevant to our Church amd my life today.
This Lenten journey has been a mixture of holy, life-changing messages for me–my challenge, my gift, my directive is to learn to incorporate the truths that Abba has offered into the very fabric of my life.
The overwhelming message for me this year has been to be open to God’s mercy and love; to surrender all that I am-body, soul, and spirit to His love and His grace.
Henri’s words on “the temptation to be relevant” were like guideposts-leading me to surrender “what I think I know” what I assume God expects, to an openness to simply sit at His feet and to developing a trust in His acceptance amd deep love of me.; exactly where and as I am.
Henri’s words: “…the Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in the world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self” set the scene for 5 weeks of being open to new viewing points and a call to see with new eyes amd and hear with new ears.
Friends, as I take time this morning to try to reflect on our Leneten Journey with Henri through his book “In the Name of Jesus” I was first struck by a comment in yesterday’s “Daily Relections.” To me, it wonderfully describes our little blog group!
“Community is not a talent show in which we dazzle the world with our combined gifts. Community is a place where our poverty is acknowledged and accepted, not as something we have to learn to cope with as best we can but as a true source of new life.
Living community in whatever form…challenges us to come together at the place of our poverty, believing that there we can reveal our richness.”
Thank you for once again becoming this community for me this Lent!
As we once again come to Holy Week – may it truly be a holy experience for all of us. I grew up Jewish in culture and heritage. I learned the stories of the Old Testament and as an adult when I came to Christ, I realized what a special treasure was given to me to better understand His words and actions in the New Testament.
One of the reasons that I think Henri Nouwen is so powerful in his writing is that he tells stories so well – that we all can relate to in some way.
For Jews, story-telling was crucial in several ways because it helped to insure the continuity of the faith and then to also accurately record what happened so that the stories would be remembered and passed on from generation to generation. But the Jewish understanding of the word and concept ‘remember’ also can carry a connotation most of us never hear about.
When Jews hear again the stories like the Flood or the Exodus, ‘remember’ means to not just recall the story but to imagine ourselves fully to be a participant in the story as it happened.
So when Jesus in offering the bread and the wine said, “Do this in remembrance of me”, for me with my background, that phrase took on extra meaning. I think Nouwen communicates his stories and his understanding of the scripture so well, that we are able to place ourselves in them and apply them to our lives.
Thanks Ray and to all of you and may this Easter be very special – perhaps in ‘remembering’ Holy week in a new way.
Friends,
When I think of the Bills in my life the first person that immediately comes to mind is my wife Dawn. Having her in my life for the past 8+ years is a tremendous gift from a loving God; she is a true partner with whom I share my spiritual journey. And the ministry we do, we do together–whether it is the Confirmation small group sessions for our parish or our involvement in the Catholic charismatic community to which we belong. Another Bill for me is our parish youth minister. It is a privilege to assist her in several areas, including the Archdiocese of Baltimore Youth and Young Adult pilgrimage that I will be participating in with several young people from our parish this Saturday.
Finally, since 2010 the participants in these Nouwen book discussions, including each one of you–and in a special way Brynn Lawrence and Maureen Wright (recently retired from the Nouwen Society)–are all Bills in my life. The shared ministry of this unique community has touched my heart and changed me, as I know it has done for others.
As we prepare to enter Holy Week, may the peace of the Lord be with you and yours.
Ray
My best Bill is my wonderful wife Lynda whom I have loved deeply but put through the ringer for nearly 54 years. I just wanted to say this to you great group of folks. In addition to being a Bill she is an angel.
Its Friday but Sunday is coming.
I am blessed by this reading/study and intend to use a portion at our board meeting of an inner city ministry tomorrow am at 7.
May He bless you all.
Johnny McConnell
This reflection on Christian leadership has brought home the need for me to be open to others in ministry. I tend to be more individualistic. Within the last few weeks I accepted an invitation to co-ordinate the introduction of Christian Meditation in schools and this will allow me to work more closely with others. This will be a new experience for me and I am looking forward to the challenge.
The gift of entering into ministry with others in community was revealed to me this week, as my school community attended the funeral of a colleague who passed away suddenly. It was a shock to us all and the entire school – teachers and students – wept for her. A most poignant moment occurred when the priest called all students and teachers to surround her casket to sing the school’s Alma Mater song. We were united in grief and love for our departed sister, friend and teacher and we experienced a deep sense of belonging and support from each other. I believe we were each other ‘Bills’ at this time.
I thank everyone for the beauty and depth of their sharing. I have been inspired by your words and the challenges you have overcome. I wish you all a blessed and holy Easter and I look forward to the time when we can share this space again. May the peace of Christ be with you all.
As we prepare for Holy Week, the Triduum and the Glorious Easter season, I would like to thank Ray and all of the participants in this book discussion during the season of Lent. I ponder the phrase – Jesus has a different vision of maturity. It is the ability and willingness to be led where you would rather not go. Since my husband died six years ago, I find myself in this situation often. I pray to discern and follow the path that the Lord is laying out for me. I, too, have had Bills in my life, one in particular, my daughter, who first introduced me to the writings of Henri Nouwen, Jean Vanier and L’Arche. I am most thankful to be able to share our journey together.
God’s Blessings – Love and Peace,
Janet
If I’m honest with myself the push to be relevant, popular and powerful has always entered my ministry because it’s embedded in my heart. Growing up poor and to some degree stigmatized, shame became a catalyst for performing to prove that I was worthy. The trouble with that paradigm is I was only as good as my next sermon, my next article or workshop. The applause of people become a way to recover the acceptance I never received as a child. But I couldn’t make up for the hole in my soul this way.
I think it takes a lot of ego strength to go from Harvard to L’Arche…from being upwardly to downwardly mobile…as Henri did. Being accepted in the Beloved or “accepting God’s acceptance” (Reinhold Neibuhr), seems to be the only solution from a broken childhood. A downward mobility brings me into the Father’s arms of affirmation. Here, in this place I receive the formative love I missed in my family of origin. No longer demanding it in my performance, I can offer it freely to others as God gives it to me in prayer and presence.
Only then is it possible to respond with confidence when Jesus asks me “Do you love me? Feed my sheep.” What feeding His sheep looks like right now is up in the air for me. Moving from one state to another 3 months ago after getting my doctorate, changing professions and then coming down with a health condition puts me in a place of forced patience while I discern God’s leading and God’s green light to go.
I’m both a licensed therapist working with adult survivors of abuse and an ordained pastor. I left parish ministry 5 years ago and began a private practice. Since I was successful in my work in Louisivlle, I expected to pick up easily here at home in Massachusetts. But after returning I had a health condition that compromised my capacity to work. For this reason I’m left in a place of discerning whether to reconsider re-entering pastoral ministry or move forward with clinical practice. As a solo person who cannot retire because of finances, work is imperitive for me going forward else I’ll be at great financial risk. I ask for your prayers…this virtual community that has been so wonderful to companion with in Lent. Please pray that I will discern God’s call and walk through God’s door of vocation. Thank you. God be with you and with us all as we minister together in Jesus’ name.
Beverly
Beverly, my prayers are, and will continue to be with you.
Your honest sharings here have been a gift and a blessing to me. I too have recently returned back to the East Coast after living outside the country for over 30 years.
Getting re-orientated and then trying to discern where/ what Abba wants of me next is not an easy process. I carry your heart in my own. May God be Blessed in and through our steuggles.
Joni, Thank you for your affirmation and prayers. I’m not sure if you are nearby MA nor if its possible, but if so I’d enjoy the chance to meet you over a cup of coffee. This community drawn together by Henri’s spirituality is hard to come by.
My prayers, Beverly……be strengthen as you watch, wait, discern…..trustingly….
Marge, I really appreciate your words and willingness to pray for me. It’s getting a little tense trying to discern direction for work. I’m trying to wait, but feel the need to make a decision very soon. So thank you very much for your prayers. Beverly
Beverly,
Thank you for your warm and vulnerable participation in our discussion. You have brought much to each of us and we have been blessed by your sharing. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this challenging time of transition.
May the Lord give you peace.
Ray
Beverly,
Isn’t it true that it’s the transitions of life that define us. This seems to be another defining moment in your relationship with God and the use of your God-given resources. God is most present in this moment for you. May wisdom, light and love guide you to a good place in life and ministry. Shalom.
Clarence
Thank you Clarence for your profound reminder about transitions. And it is during those transitions we are called to make a choice–and it is the same choice that Simon (Peter), James, and John were called to make at the Sea of Galilee: “Come follow me.” May we hear the voice of the Lord and choose to follow him all the days of our lives–especially during difficult times of transition where we may need to listen more carefully to hear that “still small voice” in our hearts.
Ray
The temptation that I have most difficulty with is “being spectacular”. When I see what some of the other sisters are doing in my community I am tempted to want to do something as “spectacular”. But when I go to the feet of Jesus and reflect about this I am reminded that each of us has a “unique call”. My unique call at this moment in my life is to be content with doing the ordinary but,as Saint Teresa reminds me, in an extraordinary way. Also, Mother Teresa says, it’s not so much about HOW MUCH we do, but HOW MUCH LOVE we put into what we do.
I will be going out to Sucumbios,the Amazon Region, for Holy Week with other Sisters from different congregations. It is a province that has suffered much. We are going as “Missionaries of Mercy” to a broken people. We will see their reality for ourselves, walk alongside them, listen to their stories, allow ourselves to be touched by the encounter, offer God’s Mercy and share His Word of life. Then we will come back and reflect on the experience. I think it was Ignatius of Loyola who said that an experience wasn’t worth having if it wasn’t reflected upon. Theological reflection is an important part of my life and ministry.
Mercy is the word I will take with me from this Lenten discussion. The Fatheris continualy inviting me to be merciful, first with myself, then with those I live and work with and after with those I meet on my journey. It is a constant challenge for me.
I think Henri was very much endowed with this gift of mercy. May we too become more and more merciful like the Father as we continue on our pilgrimage. Thanks again to all for journeying with me and making it such an enriching experience. Let’s keep each other in prayer as we go our separate ways.
Yes, let’s keep each other in our prayers. Today I go and minister in prayer with 7 other women to Hope Academy, a school for teens who have been sexually exploited — trafficked. We will pray over and in each room of the school, walk the property, pray with staff and volunteers, then finally with any of the students who desire prayer. Henri’s written words ring in my ears as I enter into this ministry: the image of the leader with outstretched hands, who chooses a life of downward mobility; the image of the praying leader, the vulnerable leader, the trusting leader. Yes, we go in the name of Jesus.
Truthfully, I think I’m “Bill” in so many ways….in relationship with a woman pastor friend, in relationship with an upcoming retreat friend, both of whom exceed my own understanding and caring abilities……I am so grateful for their inclusion of me in friendship and in ministry.
So, my summary, my Alzheimer’s friends, my cerebral palsy grandson, and my ever-searching faith friend who passed away, lead me often into places that I can feel more confident, because of them……. God’s love shines so pure and bright….I am helped, thereby learning and willing to help…..
Thank you Lent journey companions……..in the Name of Jesus…..I move and have being…….Thank You, God! Thank You, Jesus!
I’ve recognized for years the apparent necessity for relevance, power, and the spectacular in my life. Even in many of my ministry efforts, upon close examination, they are often about me.
I’m learning via Henri and others that going where I don’t want to go is the only place to truly find Christ – this is where I have to trust Him.
I’m currently walking with two men who have terminal pancreatic cancer – one a long time friend and Believer and the other a non-believer and former spouse of a friend. It’s difficult with both but I put more expectation on myself with the unbeliever. I want to fix – I want to look good and wise. Lord, please help me just to love!
As I have reflected on who was a Bill to me, I am reminded of last Easter Sunday.
We had a different kind of Easter last year since my husband and I were to be caring for the babies and toddlers in our church nursery during the service. In the morning before we left for church, I read Henri’s book, With Burning Hearts, as my Easter message and was deeply blessed.
Once in the nursery we played with the little ones who knew us and welcomed the visiting children and their parents. We also sang along with some of the hymns like “He Lives.” My favourite line is “You ask me how I know he lives, he lives within my heart.”
Near the end of the service, one of the parents invited us and the nursery children to join the 3 – 5 year olds in waving flags and marching down the aisle of the sanctuary while the congregation sang the final song of praise and celebration. The older children were delayed so I and one of the toddlers held hands and led the way down the aisle. My little partner was dancing and hopping along with the music, so I followed his lead and joined in the joy of the moment. When we got to the front of the sanctuary we kept singing together and hopping around. Suddenly there was a moment when time stood still, and I felt a sense of communion with all the people in the church.
That little two year old from the nursery was my partner in ministry that day, and we definitely did it together. Today I am reminded that God is full of surprises. Now I’m wondering, who will be my ministry partners in the future?
What has emerged for me out of this study is that God is inviting me to minsiter with others. And even more so, that “we do not come in our own name, but in the name of the Lord Jesus how sent us” (59).
Thank you to all of you who participated in this book study. Know that I am blessed by the stories and thoughts you felt moved to share.
Susan, thank you for a most charming and inspiring story of partners in ministry. Good for you that you seized this opportunity for spontaneous joy and connection with your little co-minister.
Your story and the story of Bill remind me that we can be ministered by those to whom we minster. I recall a day when I was chilled to the bone as I attempted to transfer endless packages of frozen meat to the freezer used by food bank clients for their weekly shopping. Seeing my bare hands, a client stopped me in my task, offered her warm hands, and rubbed mine until they were warm again. She smiled, we chatted, and we returned to the mundane tasks of our lives, but I felt the power of our connection and her ministry to me.
Your lovely story reminds me of a time when I was giving out communion in the Sunday Mass. My hand was shaking at the time (not helped by my relationship with the priest). A lovely parishioner approached, smiled at me and took my hands in hers to steady them and receive communion. I was deeply touched and when I returned to my pew, head in hands, I cried. She was my “Bill”
I love this story! Would love to hear more peoples’ being-led-by-Bill stories.
To be perfectly honest, I struggle with the idea of relevance. In my ministry I need to be sure that the WORK of mercy itself is relevant and the IDEAS of the workshops that I facilitate are relevant–but with the recognition that the work and ideas are much more relevant than I am. For if I do accomplish any good in the world, it is only because I am just an instrument or tool to whom God has granted the opportunities, the good health, the education, and the financial resources to offer any service at all.
I don’t know, Elaine – you seem perfectly relevant to me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I know in my ministry when I had someone teaching with me it seemed to work great! The class always seemed more engaged. We each had different styles of teaching but if one forgot to say something the other one was on it! And if we touched on the same point we never said it the same way. So I do believe it is good to go out together!
I’ve also had the privilege of having a few students who were “my Bills”. They always gave me a loving perspective to the subject matter. They always had me aware of the loving God and his presence in the room through them. I once was very afraid to teach them but quickly learned they were teaching me.
I hope my temptation to be relevant, spectacular, and powerful will replaced by more theological reflection. Before this Lenten journey began I had come to realize things weren’t right in my ministry. I had lost the joy I’d once had. I realized through this book I’d not lost the joy in my ministry as much as had allowed relevancy to creep into it, had let power raise its head, and expected the spectacular to be what I needed to add worth to my ministry. Boy was this a wake-up call. I’ve come to realize I am to be led by God, not to lead God.
Thank you so much for such wonderful insights into this book. I am forever grateful. I will be doing another one of these!
I have contemplated the writings of Henri…they have been meaningful and useful. I think that the interior of my heart if feel the feel the call of the Spirit to do more for our Lord, for the wandering people on earth. My thoughts, my life and what I do for others has changed as I have read Henri’s books, saw the fervor and stimulation he had for His Lord. But with Henri all was honesty, no pretense and that is a good thing for all of us to learn. I learned more about prayer, contemplative prayer and in the mornings have my time with God. So Lent has finished…but may we all keep doing for our Lord and seeing things through the eyes of love and truth. Thank you all who worked so hard to make see differently and go deeper with our Lord. I am grateful to who all who helped and all who wrote….God bless all.
This concluding section draws my attention to the encounter Jesus had with the ‘sinful woman’. In Luke chapter 7, in an upwardly mobile setting, at the home of an elite citizen, Jesus chose a woman of the street as His model for leadership that pleases God. Each time I read this I am still shocked with the scandal of Jesus’ action. In essence, it appears that in a moment He elevated her from being a non-person to being a deacon and a disciple. He made her to appear more qualified to minister than the disciples who somehow missed the obvious opportunity to serve their Master. The Pharisee’s disdain of Jesus’ action challenges my own prejudices. I enjoy being in the presence of ‘important’ people. The Facebook pages of many pastors and leaders I know are filled with photos of them in exotic settings with popular and powerful people. They express their thanks to friends who say they are jealous of them. In my own life, I see the countless times when I blow my own horn (thankfully the Spirit, or my wife, checks me often enough to keep things in perspective).
When I look at Jesus, I ask myself, would I as a Christian leader dare to disturb established protocols and preferences or am I dominated by ecclesial correctness? Am I so blinded by church policy and political correctness that I miss the God moments? What would Jesus say as He looks at my record of dealing with people and with His interruptions in my life? One thing I know, it was in the presence of Henri and one of the residents of Daybreak, back in the ’80’s, when the trajectory of my life and ministry took a turn in the right direction. I began to comprehend, through the image of these two men, that downward mobility is the Kingdom way toward goodness and greatness. I have become more authentic, more open to others, more attentive to the voice of the One who calls me His beloved. For this, and for our 2016 Lenten journey togehter, I am grateful.
Your questions are very powerful, Clarence. The one about “His interruptions in my life” especially resonates.