Saturday, March 9, 2013

Saturday, Third Week of Lent

Our Deepest Desires are Satisfied Only in Eternity

Going deeper into Nouwen's words, I can't help but think about his untimely death.  Henri Nouwen died from a sudden heart attack when he was 64 years old.  Although his energy was decreasing in his last months, his death was unanticipated.

Henri Nouwen dedicated his gifts as a writer and a theologian to the task of understanding what it means to live and love well.  As he wrote and spoke at conferences, indeed as he lived every day, he was, in a sense, "dying well."

Nouwen has been dead now for almost 20 years, yet his writing continues to live in the hearts, minds and souls of many -- including those of us who are praying with him during this Lent.

I think it works this way:  If our deepest desire is to nurture our relationship with God so that all that we do brings others closer to Christ as well, then all that we do will indeed live beyond us.  Our desire to be intimate will be completely satisfied, and our work will continue support that desire in those who live after us.

Prayer question:  What is your deepest desire?

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