More thoughts on gratitude

 

The Pruning Hands of God

From: Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit

Gratitude is not a simple emotion or an obvious attitude. It is a difficult discipline in which I constantly reclaim my whole past as the concrete way God has led me to this moment and is sending me into the future. It is hard precisely because it challenges me to face my painful moments – experiences of rejection and abandonment, feelings of loss and failure – and gradually to discover in them the pruning hands of God purifying my heart for deeper love, stronger hope, and broader faith.

Reflection Question: What aspects of your past do you need to reclaim as part of God's leading you to this moment?

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. - Psalm 100: 4

Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was a priest, professor, and spiritual writer. He authored over 40 books on the spiritual life and spent his final years at L'Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing from his own journey of vulnerability and faith, he invites seekers into deeper intimacy with God, themselves, and others.

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Thoughts on angels

 

Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael, Archangels

John 1:47–51

Friends, today we celebrate the Feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. When the existence of God is widely doubted, it just seems unscientific to believe in spiritual beings. And yet, they are prominently mentioned in the Bible; they are amply discussed by the Church Fathers; and the Catechism of the Catholic Church boldly reaffirms the existence and activity of angels. Do you remember how, a few years ago, there was an enormous interest in the culture in angels? One of my favorite stories had to do with a man who was flying a single-engine plane during a severe storm. At one point, his communication system failed, and he found himself without a means to make it to the airport. Just as he was about to give up hope, a strong voice came through the radio. It gave directions to an airport the pilot knew nothing about. The voice guided him to the runway of a small airport. When he landed, he realized that the airport was abandoned. No personnel were on the ground or in the tower. An accident? Or a sign that “there are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy”? Bishop Robert Barron

Thoughts on crisis

 

Crisis and Power

From: In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership

Every time we see a major crisis in the history of the Church, such as the Great Schism of the eleventh century, the Reformation of the sixteenth century, or the immense secularization of the twentieth century, we always see that a major cause of rupture is the power exercised by those who claim to be followers of the poor and powerless Jesus.  What makes the temptation to power so seemingly irresistible? Maybe it is that power offers an easy substitute for the hard task of love. It seems easier to be God than to love God, easier to control people than to love people, easier to own life than to love life.

Reflection Question: How might you imitate the poor and powerless Jesus today?

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'” - Matthew 4: 8-10

Henri Nouwen (1932–1996) was a priest, professor, and spiritual writer. He authored over 40 books on the spiritual life and spent his final years at L'Arche Daybreak, a community for people with intellectual disabilities. Drawing from his own journey of vulnerability and faith, he invites seekers into deeper intimacy with God, themselves, and others.

More Books by Henri Nouwen

Explore the Daily Meditations

Subscribe to the Daily Meditation in Spanish

To support these Daily Meditations, consider donating today. Modest but meaningful monthly giving sustains our work and expands the reach of Henri's spiritual wisdom world-wide.

DONATE