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Posted October 23, 2003 Book: Jesus: A Gospel Author: Henri Nouwen Orbis Books, Maryknoll, NY, pp. 150 Excerpt from Introduction: Jesus is the more revered figure in the Western world. His life and his teaching are stamped deeply into the fabric of our psychology and our history. Yet Jesus remains a mystery. There is an empty space for many, perhaps most of us, in that inner place where we are supposed to meet and embrace the Lord of all. Many feel a sense of disappointment when it comes to Jesus; perhaps they just want to “experience more” of the power and presence of the man whom death could not hold. It is such a common feeling . . .I think most of us can identify with the man in the Gospel who was questioned by Jesus about faith. He answered, “Lord, I have faith. Help my lack of faith!” When it comes to Jesus, we are all very much like that man. We have faith, but we wish we had more. Perhaps we do know Jesus, but we long to know him better. In any event, we go on. Every once in a while we hear about some place or some situation where God seemed to suddenly make an impact. These stories are inspiring for us, especially since they seem to defy our expectations. The Spirit of Jesus, that holy and fiery wind, suddenly blows where we least expect! But there is a question in our hearts, one that we are usually unwilling to voice: might that wind blow our way and touch us? The answer to this question is, “Yes.” The way the Spirit touches us may not be so mysertious after all. What the early church called “the good news” was often communicated by one person reaching out to another person. There has always been a place in Christianity for the teacher. We need teachers to bring us closer to God; sometimes that is how the Spirit reaches us and touches us. We need teachers not merely to show us the way we should live, but to explain for us God’s special way of doing things — those faint and far-from-obvious signs that God is caring for us and our world. This is what Nenri Nouwen did — he was a teacher, a man sent from God, and his ministry was to show people like us what God is doing in the world and how we might respond. Excerpt from Book: Invitation to Conversion In our ongoing search for meaning, we need to keep reading books and newspapers in a spiritual way. The question that should always be with us is: “Why are we living?” All the events of our short lives need to be interpreted. Books and newspapers are there to help us to read the signs of the times and so give meaning to our lives. Jesus says: “When you see a cloud looming up in the West you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does. And when the wind is from the South you say it’s going to be hot, and it is. Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?” Here lies the real challenge. Jesus does not look at the events of our times as a series of incidents and accidents that have little to do with us. Jesus sees the political, economic, and social events of our life as signs that call for a spiritual interpretation. They need to be read spiritually! But how? Jesus shows us how. Once the people had told Jesus the news that the governor Pilate had executed some rebellious men from Galilee and mingled their blood with that of Roman sacrifices. When he heard this he said, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than any others, that this should happen to them? They were not, I tell you. No, but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.” Jesus does not give a political interpretation of the event but a spiritual one. He says: “What happened invites you to conversion!” This is the deepest meaning of history: a constant invitation calling us to turn our hearts to God and so discover the full meaning of our lives.” Table of Contents: God’s Was Spiritual living God’s hidden way Descending with Jesus God and the World The Gospel Begins The Annunciation The Visitation Childhood Baptism and temptation Reaching Out Jesus’ preaching in Nazareth The family of Jesus Conversation with Nicodemus A call to friendship His ministry and ours A sermon on a mountainside Who is to blame? Seeking the kingdom The prayer of the Pharisee The rich young man The loaves and the fishes The sending of the disciples Jesus walks upon the sea Finding meaning in our life and times The woman at the well Welcoming the child Entering the Heart of the Gospel Peter realizes who Jesus is Predictions of the Passion Teaching in parables Drinking the cup The raising of Lazarus Entry into Jerusalem Washing the disciple’s feet The Last Supper Betrayal by one of the twelve The farewell discourse For This I Have Come Prayer in the Garden The arrest of Jesus The trial Jesus is scourged The road to Golgotha The Cross of Jesus Death and darkness Burial Death and Darkness Are Overcome Mary Magdala The appearance by the sea The encounter of Emmaus Jesus questions Peter Others will lead you All of humanity is included Spiritual fire “He will come again” Jesus, A Gospel Conclusion Notes Sources Index of Biblical Passages |