Making All things New, Henri Nouwen

[Deleted]

A spiritual life requires discipline because we need to learn to listen to God, who constantly speaks but whom we seldom hear. When, however, we learn to listen, our lives become obedient lives. The word “obedient” comes from the word audire, which means “listening”.

A spiritual discipline is necessary in order to move slowly from an absurd to an obedient life, from a life filled with noisy worries to a life in which there is some free inner space where we can listen to our God and follow God’s guidance. Jesus’ life was a life of obedience. He was always listening to the Father, always attentive to his voice, always alert for his directions. Jesus was ‘all ear.’

That is true prayer: being all ear for God. The core of all prayer is indeed listening, obediently standing in the presence of God.

Making All things New
Henri Nouwen

www.geneseeabbey.org/june-19-2016/

I always enjoy reading Nouwen and I found this little gem on the Abbey site under Lectio Notebook.

[dave]

I haven't read Nouwen in years but always enjoyed his writing.
Another reason why I should get busy and organize my books. They sit in disorder in book units in my room and every time I want something it takes the longest time to find it. And frankly, these days it's often quicker to look for a reference on the Web.

A favorite quote:

The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares. - Henri Nouwen

[clarencebunsen]

Both of those are thought provoking quotes.