It is difficult to make people understand that the ideal doesn't exist, that personal equilibrium and the harmony they dream of come only after years and years of struggle, and that even then they come only as flashes of grace and peace.

Jean Vanier

Categorized in : Years Dream Struggle

To invite others to live with us is a sign that we aren't afraid, that we have a treasure of truth and of peace to share.

invites treasure share

At the heart of the celebration, there are the poor. If [they] are excluded, it is not longer a celebration. [...] A celebration must always be a festival of the poor.

celebration festivals heart

He who is or has been deeply hurt has a RIGHT to be sure he is LO... by Jean Vanier

He who is or has been deeply hurt has a RIGHT to be sure he is LOVED.

deeply-hurt hurt healing

We work for peace every time we exercise authority with wisdom an... by Jean Vanier

We work for peace every time we exercise authority with wisdom and authentic love.

authority exercise

Look at your own poverty welcome it cherish it don't be afraid share your death because thus you will share your love and your life

welcome poverty looks

Put on light-coloured clothes and some perfume, take care of your body and do everything you can to fight against the forces of darkness. It is not an easy struggle, but it is worthwhile.

fighting light struggle

Avoid the poison in your life that brings you turmoil. by Jean Vanier

Avoid the poison in your life that brings you turmoil.

turmoil poison

Every act of violence is also a message that needs to be understo... by Jean Vanier

Every act of violence is also a message that needs to be understood. (23-24)

violence messages needs

To live with Jesus is to live with the poor. To live with the poo... by Jean Vanier

To live with Jesus is to live with the poor. To live with the poor is to live with Jesus.

poor jesus

A tension or difficulty can signal the approach of a new grace of God. But it has to be looked at wisely and humanly.

signals difficulty grace

A community that is growing rich and seeks only to defend its goods and its reputation is dying. It has ceased to grow in love. A community is alive when it is poor and its members feel they have to work together and remain united, if only to ensure that they can all eat tomorrow!

community dying working-together

Jesus is the starving, the parched, the prisoner, the stranger, the naked, the sick, the dying. Jesus is the oppressed, the poor. To live with Jesus is to live with the poor. To live with the poor is to live with Jesus.

sick dying jesus

The cry for love and communion and for recognition that rises from the hearts of people in need reveals the fountain of love in us and our capacity to give life.

heart giving people

So we need places, laboratories, the creation of places which could be each one of our homes, where we invite people who are different, and we listen to each other, people of different class groups.

home class people

True peace can rarely be imposed from the outside; it must be born within and between communities through meetings and dialogue and then carried outward.

dialogue born community

If we love (the poor) people, we want to identify with them and s... by Jean Vanier

If we love (the poor) people, we want to identify with them and share with them.

poor want people

Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness. by Jean Vanier

Growth begins when we begin to accept our own weakness.

own accept weakness growth