On Meaning, assignment due Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, May 3, 2011

Please conclude reading of Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved. Be prepared to discuss.

Entry Four, Semester Two, Journal Four - Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Please read through the section on "Broken" and journal on the following:

In your memory, recall a time when you first discovered that life would not be perfect. Tell this story. How does this recalling move you? Do you find that you are strengthened or challenged in any way with this recalling? How?

On Meaning, assignment due Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Henri Nouwen and one of his many friends at L'Arche.

Read through page 83 of Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved and be prepared to discuss the following:

On Being the Beloved

1. Nouwen states on page 30 that “ ‘You are my Beloved’ [reveals] the most intimate truth about all human beings.” What truth does it reveal?

2. According to Nouwen, what is “friendship … all about?”

3. Let’s consider Nouwen’s statements about self rejection and arrogance that begin on page 31. In your understanding, do these statements ring true?

4. On pages 36 -37, Nouwen makes a long list of statements about all of God’s human creation. From where did these statements originate?

On Becoming the Beloved: “Taken”

1. On page 45 Nouwen writes “ … the spiritual life is not simply a way of being, but also a way of becoming, what then is the nature of this

becoming?” Help explain.

2. In the section entitled Becoming the Beloved, Nouwen begins to use liturgical images to illustrate the life of the Beloved. How?

3. In Nouwen’s discussion of being “Taken” or “Chosen,” describe the three disciplines he believes help us to live fully into the life of the beloved.

On Becoming the Beloved: “Blessed”

1. On page 68, Nouwen teaches us about the word “blessing.” What does the word mean?

2. What are Henri’s two suggestions for claiming your blessedness?

Reflection:

Take a moment to consider a time or place wherein you felt chosen. Please illustrate. Then, consider a time or place wherein you felt a sense that many, with you, were chosen, how did both these instances make you feel/ or in what ways did they make you think?

Entry Two and Three, Semester Two, Journal Two and Three - Monday, February 14, 2011

1. Recall, briefly, the friendship that begins this story. Describe the two individuals. How are they similar? Different? What brings the two gentlemen together as friends?

2. As different as Nouwen and Bratman are from one another,

Nouwen illustrates another vision on p. 19:

“In the midst of the many changes in our lives, both of us came into closer touch with our deeper desires. Different though our circumstances were, we both had to deal with the pains of rejection and separation, and both of us realized increasingly our desire for intimacy and friendship. To avoid being drowned in bitterness and resentment, we both had to draw on our deepest spiritual resources. Differences became less important, similarities more obvious. As our friendship grew deeper and stronger, our desire for a common spiritual foundation became more explicit.”

How does this description change the way we are able to see humanity?

3. Not wanting him to give up his dreams, Nouwen says to Bratman, “You are young, full of energy, well trained . . . Everything is possible for you . . . . Why let the world squeeze you in? . . . Why become the victim? You are free to do what you want -- if, that is, you really want it!”

What are the risks that Nouwen and Bratman demand of one another? Why would a person choose this kind of risk? Have you in your life ever taken a risk stretching you as Henri and Fred are stretched?

Reflection:

In your own life, tell the story of a friend whose presence in your life changed you, seemingly for good or ill. What characteristics do you assign both yourself and this friend as you look back and reflect on this relationship?

Message-on Wednesday, February 9 and Thursday, February 10

Please find and bring Henri Nouwen's Life of the Beloved to class.

Entry One, Semester Two, Journal One B- Wednesday, February 2 and Thursday, February 3

The Dalai Lama articulates "In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher." As we have watched the holy Lama's story in Martin Scorcese's Kundun, we certainly see this as true. Describe how the Dalai Lama practiced this truth in his own life. Also, consider your own life, imagine an "enemy" in your life. How might this person's life better teach you the practice of tolerance?