Nouwen Meditation: Know Yourself

In this week's episode of Henri Nouwen, Now & Then, we feature best-selling author and sought after speaker Lisa Harper. Described as "one of the best Bible tour guides around," Lisa combines wit with deep theological wisdom, and shares how the writings of Henri Nouwen have impacted her life. LISTEN NOW DAILY MEDITATION | JUNE 27, 2021 Know Yourself There can hardly be a better image of caring than that of the artist who brings new life to people by his honest and fearless self-portrait. Rembrandt painted his sixty-three self-portraits not just as “a model for studies in expression” but as a “search for the spiritual through the channel of his innermost personality.”* Rembrandt felt that he had to enter into his own self, into his dark cellars as well as into his light rooms, if he really wanted to penetrate the mystery of man’s interiority. Rembrandt realized that what is most personal is most universal. While growing in age he was more and more able to touch the core of the human experience, in which individuals in their misery can recognize themselves and find “courage and new youth.” We will never be able to really care if we are not willing to paint and repaint constantly our self-portrait, not as a morbid self-preoccupation, but as a service to those who are searching for some light in the midst of the darkness. Comment on this Daily Meditation ‌ ‌ The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God I thank you that I am not like other people: thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector... But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven but was beating his breast and singing, "God be merciful to me, a sinner!" LUKE 18:11,13 (NRSV) VISIT OUR BOOKSTORE UNITED STATES | CANADA | UNITED KINGDOM 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. Donate Text excerpts taken from "You are the Beloved" by Henri J.M. Nouwen © 2017 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. Published by Convergent Books. Photo from unsplash.com. Scripture reading contributed by L. Yeskoo. Contact us : admin@henrinouwen.org | 1.866.226.2158 | henrinouwen.org ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

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Nouwen Meditation: Acknowledging Our Own Mortality

In this week's episode of Henri Nouwen, Now & Then, we feature best-selling author and sought after speaker Lisa Harper. Described as "one of the best Bible tour guides around," Lisa combines wit with deep theological wisdom, and shares how the writings of Henri Nouwen have impacted her life. LISTEN NOW DAILY MEDITATION | JUNE 26, 2021 Acknowledging Our Own Mortality To care for the elderly means then that we allow the elderly to make us poor by inviting us to give up the illusion that we created our own life and that nothing or nobody can take it away from us. This poverty, which is an inner detachment, can make us free to receive the old stranger into our lives and make that person into a most intimate friend. When care has made us poor by detaching us from the illusion of immortality, we can really become present to the elderly. We can then listen to what they say without worrying about how we can answer. We can pay attention to what they have to offer without being concerned about what we can give. We can see what they are in themselves without wondering what we can be for them. When we have emptied ourselves of false occupations and preoccupations, we can offer free space to old strangers, where not only bread and wine but also the story of life can be shared. Comment on this Daily Meditation ‌ ‌ "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." ISAIAH 46:4 (NIV) VISIT OUR BOOKSTORE UNITED STATES | CANADA | UNITED KINGDOM 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. Donate Text excerpts taken from "You are the Beloved" by Henri J.M. Nouwen © 2017 by The Henri Nouwen Legacy Trust. Published by Convergent Books. Photo from unsplash.com. Scripture reading contributed by L. Yeskoo. Contact us : admin@henrinouwen.org | 1.866.226.2158 | henrinouwen.org ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

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Henri Nouwen Society 2021 Summer Newsletter

Thank You for Being Part of Our Community!

HNS NEWSLETTER / SUMMER 2021 Greetings from the Executive Director... Dear Friends, As many of you know, 2021 is the 25th anniversary of Henri Nouwen’s death. Rather than mourn his loss, we have chosen to celebrate Henri’s life throughout the year. Already we have had the pleasure of hosting three stellar online events, including the acclaimed Henri Nouwen and the Art of Living conference, a virtual two-day gathering that connected, encouraged and blessed Nouwen readers from around the globe. Twenty-five years later and Henri’s life is still bearing fruit! One of the great joys of my work is seeing how the words of Henri Nouwen continue to influence lives through our many outreaches and initiatives. It’s an enormous delight to see new and younger audiences discover Henri Nouwen through our various social media platforms. Henri would be amazed to see the extent of his reach on a daily basis. It’s somewhat ironic, given his decision to abandon the prestige of Harvard and Yale to live a life of “downward mobility” at L’Arche Daybreak, that Henri is more widely known and read today than he was during his own lifetime. I suspect if Henri knew he shared a common destiny with Van Gogh and Rembrandt, the two artists whose lives most influenced his own life and spirituality, he would be very pleased indeed. Please check our website for details of our next online event on September 21 as we continue to celebrate Henri Nouwen – Remembering Henri: The Gifts of a Fruitful Life. I wish you all a blessed and safe summer! I wish you all a blessed and safe summer! Sincerely, Karen Pascal, Executive Director, Henri Nouwen Society  Read & Download Summer Newsletter We are delighted to announce the release of Henri Nouwen and the Art of Living, a new five-booklet series written by Dr. Chris Pritchett and Marjorie Thompson, members of the Board of Directors for the Henri Nouwen Society. Each 32-page booklet breaks open Henri’s words, offering fresh context, meaning, and insight for both new and longtime Nouwen readers. Read More An Encouraging Word from Henri... "Every time you feel hurt, offended, or rejected, you have to dare to say to yourself: “These feelings, strong as they may be, are not telling me the truth about myself. The truth, even though I cannot feel it right now, is that I am the chosen child of God, precious in God’s eyes, called the Beloved from all eternity and held safe in an everlasting embrace.” – LIFE OF THE BELOVED Reasons for Monthly Support Over the past few months, you have likely received an invitation from us asking you to consider becoming a monthly supporter. While these “asks” might be a tad irksome to some, many readers of Henri Nouwen will recognize that we are actually adhering to his advice. “Fundraising,” said Henri,  “allows others an opportunity to participate in your organization’s vision and mission.” Read More Talk About An Impact! It’s during stressful times such as these that Henri Nouwen’s words often have the most impact. Here are a few of the poignant comments we have received from our Daily Meditation subscribers this year. Read More Thank YOU for sharing our Daily Meditations with your friends and family. Even better, invite them to subscribe at henrinouwen.org. Books that Speak to the Heart Henri Nouwen wrote eloquently and persuasively about the benefits of cultivating a fruitful life. “We have been called to be fruitful – not successful, not productive, not accomplished. Success comes from strength, stress, and human effort. Fruitfulness comes from vulnerability and the admission of our own weakness.”  Read More “As always, Henri’s comments on hope and faith provide an anchor during this turbulent time.” Henri Nouwen Society | www.henrinouwen.org ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

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