October 2, 2010 - The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture

Henri Nouwen is one of my favorite devotional writers. He had a way of communicating deep truths in such simple, profound, and beautiful language.

The Most Human and Most Divine Gesture

The two disciples whom Jesus joined on the road to Emmaus recognised him in the breaking of the bread. What is a more common, ordinary gesture than breaking bread? It may be the most human of all human gestures: a gesture of hospitality, friendship, care, and the desire to be together. Taking a loaf of bread, blessing it, breaking it, and giving it to those seated around the table signifies unity, community, and peace. When Jesus does this he does the most ordinary as well as the most extraordinary. It is the most human as well as the most divine gesture.

The great mystery is that this daily and most human gesture is the way we recognise the presence of Christ among us. God becomes most present when we are most human.

Share your thoughts on this reflection.
These reflections are taken from Henri J.M. Nouwen's Bread for the Journey.

Exciting news from the Henri Nouwen Society! Visit HenriNouwen.org

Amity and Communion

Yesterday while I was at teaching parish, Ray, still at Seeing Eye in NJ, took new guide dog Amity to church for the first time. All went really well until...communion distribution.

Amity was seated beside Ray who was kneeling and waiting for the pastor to give him the bread. As soon as the pastor offered Ray the bread, Amity stretched, reaching her head forward like she wanted communion too. Ray, the pastor, and the Seeing Eye trainer lost it. They couldn't help but laugh. That was Amity's first church visit. She's already a good Lutheran dog. As one friend remarked, "Okay - so THAT dog needs to go to First Communion class!"

For Abby it's compline, for Amity it's communion. What can one do with dogs like that? If only all God's people were as interested in the means of grace as these dogs are!










Flickr pictures

Eucharist as a Way of Life

There is an article from the Alban Institute entitled Eucharist as a Way of Life which is worth reading. Enjoy.


Picture from flickr.