It is in solitude that we discover that being is more important than having and that we are worth more than the results of our efforts. Henri Nouwen More Quotes by Henri Nouwen More Quotes From Henri Nouwen If you want to know anything about community, you have to realize that the contemplative side is essential. Community without retreating and quiet time never survives. Henri Nouwen essentials community want Community always calls us back to solitude, and solitude always calls us to community. Community and solitude, both, are essential elements of ministry and witnessing. Henri Nouwen essentials community solitude In the face of the oppressed I recognize my own face, and in the hands of the oppressor I recognize my own hands. Their flesh is my flesh, their blood is my blood, their pain is my pain, their smile is my smile. Henri Nouwen pain hands blood I am learning that the best cure for hypocrisy is community. Hypocrisy is not so much the result of not living what I preach but much more of not confessing my inability to fully live up to my own words. Henri Nouwen inability community hypocrisy I feel the problems I have are meant to purify me. Henri Nouwen problem feels The mystery of ministry is that we have been chosen to make our own limited and very conditional love the gateway for the unlimited and unconditional love of God. Henri Nouwen ministry mystery unconditional-love I wrote to my bishop, the Archbishop of Utrecht, Holland, and explained that I wanted not just permission to stay longer, but a mission. He met me at the Trosly L'Arche community and we spent a few days together . . . I wanted him to get to know L'Arche, to understand what I was doing there. Afterward he said, "I understand now, Henri. You have found a home for your self." Henri Nouwen community self home When I was teaching, I didn't feel I had a home, a place where I truly belonged. Henri Nouwen teaching home feels Someday I would love to write about Vincent van Gogh - his paintings and letters continue to inspire me very much. But it remains hard to find the time and inner rest to write. Henri Nouwen letters writing inspire I don't pray enough, but I pray more now. Every morning at six o'clock have a half hour of meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. I pray with others too. Henri Nouwen meditation blessed morning That's prayer to let God's Word speak deep within you and tell you, "You are my beloved. You don't have to take an eye for an eye. No, no you're too rich for that." Henri Nouwen eye prayer letting-go I am working on three things: on being a prayerful person; on staying close to the handicapped; and on my writing. These are my constant concerns. Henri Nouwen prayerful three writing The most important thing I've come to believe in is that people with mental handicaps have a unique mission to bring God's blessing to the World. Henri Nouwen unique blessing believe The beatitudes say, "Blessed are the poor". They don't say, "Blessed are those who care for the poor." Henri Nouwen who-cares poor blessed L'Arche is not a service institution or a group home. It is a community that exists to reveal God's love. Our people are given to the world to tell others about peace and forgiveness and celebration, to make them aware that in the midst of their brokenness, there is joy; in the midst of their wounded nature, there is healing. Henri Nouwen healing home people Beneath our frantic activities, there's a deep desire to show the world we are worthwhile. Henri Nouwen worthwhile desire world My writing has developed drastically . The Return of the Prodigal Son is the most important thing I've done, and my most mature book. Henri Nouwen writing book son The gospel word of the day can become like a painting on the walls. of your inner room, the inner room that is your heart. Henri Nouwen wall heart rooms We want to prove we are good writers or good business, good parents or good teachers. The world is very competitive and catches us in this frenzy. It wants us to go here, be there, and be part of this or that. Henri Nouwen parent teacher world Mysticism is for all, not just for a few special people. Henri Nouwen special-people special people
