Daily Meditation: The Joy of Being Like Others

DAILY MEDITATION The Joy of Being Like Others January 31 Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary. True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler. This is the joy of Jesus, who is Emmanuel: God-with-us. For further reflection... "I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.  Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name -- the name you gave me -- so that they may be one as we are one.  I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them."  - John 17: 11, 13 Your response... Where is your true joy hidden? Comment on this Daily Meditation. Continue the Inspiration Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Here and Now".   Visit our Bookstore: United States | Canada | United Kingdom Search the Daily Meditations... You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here... Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today. 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. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo. STAY CONNECTED:

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Daily Meditation: Choosing Joy

DAILY MEDITATION Choosing Joy January 30  Photo courtesy of SDGimagery.com Joy is what makes life worth living, but for many joy seems hard to find. They complain that their lives are sorrowful and depressing. What then brings the joy we so much desire? Are some people just lucky, while others have run out of luck? Strange as it may sound, we can choose joy. Two people can be part of the same event, but one may choose to live it quite differently than the other. One may choose to trust that what happened, painful as it may be, holds a promise. The other may choose despair and be destroyed by it. What makes us human is precisely this freedom of choice. For further reflection... "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!  Amen."  - Ephesians 3: 20-21 Your response... What helps you choose joy? Comment on this Daily Meditation. Continue the Inspiration Purchase your copy of Henri Nouwen's book "Life of the Beloved".   Visit our Bookstore: United States | Canada | United Kingdom Search the Daily Meditations... You can now search Henri's Daily Meditations by theme. Learn more here... Consider our monthly giving program to sustain the ability to extend Henri's legacy and make his work available to those who seek spiritual formation and nourishment. Click here to sign up today. 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. Scripture chosen by L. Yeskoo. STAY CONNECTED:

Forward This Email to a Friend This email was sent to cbgamb@gmail.com by email_lists@henrinouwen.org |   Update Profile/Email Address | Rapid removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | About our service provider. Henri Nouwen Society | 214 - 95 St. Joseph Street | Toronto | ON | M5S 2R9 | Canada