Sunday, March 6, 2022

Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent

Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent

Living Lent Attentively and Gently

Lent is the most important time of the year to nurture our inner life. It is the time during which we not only prepare ourselves to celebrate the mystery of the death and resurrection of Jesus, but also the death and resurrection that constantly takes place within us. Life is a continuing process of the death of the old and the familiar, and being reborn again into a new hope, a new trust, and a new love. The death and resurrection of Jesus therefore is not just an historical event that took place a long time ago, but an inner event that takes place in our heart when we are willing to be attentive to it.

Lent offers a beautiful opportunity to discover the mystery of Christ within us. It is a gentle but also demanding time. It is a time of solitude but also community, it is a time of listening to the voice within, but also a time of paying attention to other people's needs. It is a time to continuously make the passage to new inner life as well as to life with those around us.

When we live Lent attentively and gently, then Easter can truly be a celebration during which the full proclamation of the risen Christ will reverberate into the deepest place of our being.

-- Henri Nouwen, Called to Life, Called to Love:
Lenten Reflections from the Works of Henri J.M. Nouwen

Letters to Marc About Jesus

Our annual Lent Book Discussion is now underway. Beginning today and continuing throughout Lent, join readers as we read and discuss Henri's “Letters to Marc About Jesus.” 

“Letters to Marc About Jesus” is a collection of beautiful letters that Henri addressed to his 18-year-old nephew about what it means to live a spiritual life. 

Our Lent Book Discussion is a wonderful way to enrich the Lenten season and to connect with others in our global Nouwen community!

“Henri’s writings are a source of such blessings for me. Thank you!” – Jim S.

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Henri Nouwen Society | www.henrinouwen.org | 1-866-226-2158

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