Henri Nouwen
Henri Nouwen
Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen,was a Dutch Catholic priest, professor, writer and theologian. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community. Over the course of his life, Nouwen was heavily influenced by the work of Anton Boisen, Thomas Merton, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh and Jean Vanier...
NationalityDutch
ProfessionClergyman
Date of Birth24 January 1932
silence distance-friendship inspirational-long-distance-relationship
Somewhere we know that without silence, words lose their meaning.
desire fists resistance
The resistance to praying is like the resistance of tightly clenched fists. This image shows a tension, a desire to cling tightly to yourself, a greediness which betrays fear.
writing journey space
The deepest satisfaction of writing is precisely that it opens up new spaces within us of which we were not aware before we started to write. To write is to embark on a journey whose final destination we do not know.
temptation devil stones
That's the temptation of the devil: "Turn stones into bread! Be relevant!"
distance compassion judgement
Compassion can never coexist with judgement because judgement creates the distance, the distinction, which prevents us from really being with the other.
blessing agony stronger
What once seemed such a curse has become a blessing. All the agony that threatened to destroy my life now seems like the fertile ground for greater trust, stronger hope, and deeper love.
able speak silent
If you are not able to be silent, you will not be able to speak well.
relationship i-miss-you missing-you
In true love the smallest distance is too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged.
inspirational hurt doubt
I trust in you, Lord, but keep helping me in my moments of distrust and doubt.
running jesus believe
It is this nothingness (in solitude) that I have to face in my solitude, a nothingness so dreadful that everything in me wants to run to my friends, my work, and my distractions so that I can forget my nothingness and make myself believe that I am worth something. The task is to persevere in my solitude, to stay in my cell until all my seductive visitors get tired of pounding on my door and leave me alone. The wisdom of the desert is that the confrontation with our own frightening nothingness forces us to surrender ourselves totally and unconditionally to the Lord Jesus Christ.
spiritual successful way
In a strange way the spiritual life isn't "useful" or "successful." But it is meant to be fruitful. And fruitfulness comes out of brokenness.
gratitude block envy
Resentment and gratitude cannot coexist, since resentment blocks the perception and experience of life as a gift. My resentment tells me that I don't receive what I deserve. It always manifests itself in envy.
simple people limits
This sounds very simple and maybe even trite, but very few people know that they are loved without condition or limits.
giving abundance-mentality abundance
When we give generously, with an abundance mentality, what we give away will multiply.