Discernment is “faithful living and listening to God’s love and direction…(it) allows us to “see through” the appearance of things to their deeper meaning and come to know the interworkings of God’s love and our unique place in the world. Discernment helps us come to know our true identity in creation, vocation in the world, and unique place in history as an expression of divine love.” Henri Nouwen, Discernment: Signs for Daily Life
Dear Beloved Family,
In a world that categorizes, classifies, and diminishes people, Jesus shows us how to SEE people through divine love. We live in a time when we desperately need the eyes of Jesus, not only in how we see others, but in how we see ourselves.
Jason Huff, on Sunday, invited us to join him in praying daily The Prayer of the Chalice by Francis Nuttall that’s been helpful in his “living and listening to God’s love and direction.” Here it is.
This prayer reminds us that when our own words elude us and we come to God empty and dry, the words of others can open the eyes of our heart to see God afresh and to be reminded that the Spirit of God unites us across time and space.
During these next weeks, will you join me in taking 10-15 minutes daily to ask God to change your vision and to see as Jesus sees? You may find that the prayers of others sustain you; you may want to write your own prayer of love to God. Sitting in silence may be the place of connection.
Let me know what you discover about the “interworkings of God’s love” and your unique place in our world as you take time to pause and BE with your Creator who calls you Beloved.
Here is another prayer from Henri Nouwen that I’ve found a helpful daily prayer:
“Dear God,
I am so afraid to open my clenched fists!
Who will I be when I have nothing left to hold on to?
Who will I be when I stand before you with empty hands?
Please help me to gradually open my hands
and to discover that I am not what I own,
but what you want to give me.”
Take time to pause quietly and give thanks for the good gifts that God, our Creator, Advocate and Sustainer has given to you this today.
In gratitude and hope,
Renée