Monday, February 6, 2017

The call to compassionate ministry (H. Nouwen)


   As disciples of Jesus, we are sent to where there is poverty, loneliness, suffering of any kind.  We are given the courage to be with suffering people.  We can trust that, by entering into places of pain, we will find the joy of Jesus.  A new world grows out of compassion.

   The call to compassionate ministry is a great call.  But we must not be fearful. We must not say, I can’t do that.  When we are aware that we are the beloved, and when we have friends around us with whom we live in community, we can do anything.  We’re not afraid anymore.  We’re not afraid to knock on the door while somebody is dying.  We’re not afraid to open a discussion with a person who underneath all the glitter is much in need of ministry.  We’re free.

--Henri Nouwen, A Spirituality of Living

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