Letters to Marc About Jesus: Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World
Originally published in Dutch in 1987 in response to a publisher friend’s challenge for Henri Nouwen to “write a book in Dutch,” Letters to Marc About Jesus: Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World is a profound and beautiful collection of letters that Henri addressed to his 18-year-old nephew, Marc van Campen.
Written with publication in mind, the letters afforded Henri the opportunity to tell his nephew – as well as a growing audience of readers – his thoughts on faith, on Jesus, and on the meaning of our existence.
In the process of writing the letters, Henri was surprised to discover that each missive provided a platform to explore and deepen his own understanding of what it means to live a spiritual life. The focus for his letters quickly switched from writing “something helpful” for Marc to conveying “the enthusiasm I was feeling about my own discoveries.”
I want to give you a taste of the richness of life as a Christian as I know it, undergo it and continue to discover it. I really believe I have something important to tell you.
-Henri Nouwen, “Letters to Marc About Jesus”
The book’s subtitle ‘Living a Spiritual Life in a Material World’ is as appropriate today as it was in 1987, only now we could easily tack on any number of additional descriptors for today’s anxious, fearful, and politically polarized environment. Regardless of the state of the world or the state of our own personal circumstances, Henri encourages Marc – and us – to live from the very heart of our existence. “By heart“, he writes, “I mean the center of our being, the place where we are most ourselves, where we are most human, where we stand most fully in reality.”
No registration necessary.
Join us here on Ash Wednesday, March 2nd for greetings and introductions. Then beginning Sunday, March 6th, we’ll journey through Lent reading and discussing this particularly timely and meaningful publication.
Facilitated by Ray Glennon, the Lent online book discussion can be a meaningful, enriching addition to your Lenten season. We do hope you will join us.
A reading schedule will be posted prior to the beginning of the book discussion.
Need a copy of the book? It is available at many bookstores, or you can order it online through the Bookstore tab in the menu bar above.
Looking forward to it!
As a Protestant, I have been nurtured over the years by Catholic writers such as Thomas Merton and Henri Nouwen. Thank you for continuing to feature Nouwen’s writings.
James
Welcome!
I am from India. A first timer to this forum. Looking forward to learn from the community.
Welcome! Glad you will be joining us!
Looking forward to this experience!
I got the book and want to join the discussions. Can you alert me via email when the time comes? Thank you. Marsha
Hi Marsha,
Glad to hear you will be joining us. A reminder will be included with the Daily Meditations that are delivered on the Saturday and Sunday (Feb 26 & 27) before the start of the discussion.
I have read many books by Henri Nouwen, but never this one! Looking forward to it for the Lenten Season.
Looking forward to reading the book and joining the discussion.
Looking forward to joining the discussion. I just purchased a copy of the book.
Good Day to All,
I will be joining the book discussion group. It is my first time and I am looking forward to it. I receive your daily meditations and I am blessed by them. Thank-you.
Ordered my book today.
Maria
This is my first time for the discussion, and I am looking forward to it. However, I am confused about how I go about it. Is this a zoom type discussion, and if so, how do I log into it? You mentioned giving introductions on Ash Wednesday. How will we, or will we, give those? Thanks
Hi Kathleen,
No, it’s not a Zoom or video feed. It’s a moderated online discussion. Participants post comments via their keyboards. You can make a comment by clicking on the COMMENTS link at the bottom of the page. Comments will be posted just as soon as Ray has had a chance to review them.
Glad you are planning on joining us!
Will the discussions be via a video/media feed, or will they later be in a podcast? How can we see/hear the discussions if we can’t make the 9am live discussions?
Hi Josie,
No, it’s not a Zoom or video feed. It’s an old fashioned, moderated online discussion, meaning participants post comments via their keyboards. You can create a comment by clicking on the COMMENTS link at the bottom of the page. Comments will be posted just as soon as Ray Glennon, our moderator, has had a chance to review them.
You can view some of our earlier discussions and get an idea of how things work by clicking on any of the links in our ARCHIVES at the right side of this page.
Hope you can join us!
Looking forward to it
Just bought the Kindle book and I’m looking forward to discussion.
Same here…just purchased the Kindle book and looking forward to this Lenten journey with all of you!
What time on Ash Wednesday and time for Sunday discussions
Ray typically gets things underway around 9:00 AM Eastern, but because people participate from all over the world, you can introduce yourself and comment when it best suits your own schedule. It’s a moderated discussion, meaning comments get posted just as soon as Ray has a chance to review them.
Glad you plan on joining us!
Would you kindly advise of the times EST when the meetings will take place, i.e. on
Wednesday, and at what time on Sundays. Many thanks!
Lynda
Ray typically gets things underway around 9:00 AM Eastern, but because people participate from all over the world, you can introduce yourself and comment when it best suits your own schedule. It’s a moderated discussion, meaning comments get posted just as soon as Ray has a chance to review them. Glad you plan on joining us!
How do I register for the Lenten sessions?
Hi Judith,
No registration is necessary. Just visit this page when things get underway on Ash Wednesday. Ray Glennon will let participants know how to comment and respond to comments (It’s an easy process!) I’m glad you are planning on joining us. It should be a wonderful discussion as always!
William