Thursday, August 20, 2015

Daily Meditation: The Treasure of the Poor

Henri Nouwen Society - Daily Meditation
The Treasure of the Poor - from Henri Nouwen's Bread for the Journey

The poor have a treasure to offer precisely because they cannot return our favours.  By not paying us for what we have done for them, they call us to inner freedom, selflessness, generosity, and true care.   Jesus says:  "When you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; then you will be blessed, for they have no means to repay you and so you will be repaid when the upright rise again"  (Luke 14:13-14).

The repayment Jesus speaks about is spiritual.  It is the joy, peace, and love of God that we so much desire.  This is what the poor give us, not only in the afterlife but already here and now.

- Henri J. M. Nouwen

For further reflection...

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and will be repaid in full." - Proverbs 19:17 (NRSV)
Comment on this Daily Meditation.
 
Visit our website for inspiration, resources, news, events, community.

Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  Find us on Pinterest
Text excerpts taken from Bread for the Journey, by Henri J.M. Nouwen, ©1997 HarperSanFrancisco. All Scripture from The Jerusalem Bible ©1966, 1967, and 1968 Darton, Longman & Todd and Doubleday & Co. Inc. Photo by V. Dobson. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo.
Forward this Daily Meditation to a friend!

Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to cbgamb@gmail.com, by email_lists@henrinouwen.org
Henri Nouwen Society | PO Box 220522 | St. Louis | MO | 63122 | USA
Henri Nouwen Society | 95 St. Joseph Street, Room 214 | Toronto | ON | M5S 2R9 | Canada

No comments:

Post a Comment