“The event of Jesus’ resurrection totally and absolutely surpassed [the disciples’] understanding. It went far beyond their own ways of thinking and feeling. It broke through the limits of their minds and hearts … What seemed to be the end proved to be the beginning; what seemed to be a cause for fear proved to be a cause for courage; what seemed to be defeat proved to be victory; and what seemed to be the basis for despair proved to be the basis for hope. Suddenly a wall becomes a gate, and although we are not able to say with much clarity or precision what lies beyond the gate, the tone of all that we do and say on our way to the gate changes drastically.”
— Hengri Nouwen, A Letter of Consolation
“Love is the measure of all things Christian. The mind has its place, but it is with the heart that we love.”
— Henri Nouwen (“Behold the Beauty of the Lord”)
“Many people feel cursed - cursed by God with illnesses, losses, handicaps, and misfortunes. They believe their cup doesn’t carry blessings. It is the cup of God’s wrath … [but] Jesus made the cup of God’s wrath into a cup of blessings … Our suffering can no longer be a divine punishment.”
— Henry Nouwen (“Can You Drink The Cup?”)
“[the voices of light] might at first seem small and insignificant, and we may have a hard time trusting them. However they are very persistent and they will grow stronger if we keep listening. They come from a very deep place and from very far. They have been speaking to us since before we were born, and they reveal to us that there is no darkness in the One who sent us into the world, only light. They are part of God’s voice calling us from all eternity: ‘My beloved child, my favorite one, my joy.’”
—
Henry Nouwen, on silence (“Can You Drink The Cup?”)
cf: Brother Lawrence - http://is.gd/RkX3gk
