Sunday, June 4, 2023

Nouwen Meditation: Celebrate in the Present

Now & Then Podcast

When our relationship with our dad is difficult it can complicate our ability to connect to the Father's love. In this Henri Nouwen, Now & Then podcast, Arthur Boers, author of the powerful new memoir Shattered, navigates the complex terrain of fear and love, shame and forgiveness in the face of generational cycles of rage and violence.

DAILY MEDITATION | JUNE 4, 2023
Celebrate in the Present
Celebrating is first of all the full affirmation of our present condition. We say with full consciousness: we are, we are here, we are now, and let it be that way. We can only really celebrate when we are present in the present. If anything has become clear, it is that we have to a large extent lost the capability to live in the present. Many so-called celebrations are not much more than a painful moment between bothersome preparations and boring after-talks. We can only celebrate if there is something present that can be celebrated. We cannot celebrate Christmas when there is nothing new born here and now; we cannot celebrate Easter when no new life becomes visible; we cannot celebrate Pentecost when there is no Spirit whatsoever to celebrate. Celebration is the recognition that something is there and needs to be made visible so that we can all say yes to it.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

EPHESIANS 5:13,14 (NIV)
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