A new day dawning…

I so enjoy reflecting on the ancient wisdom and power of the Bible, particularly pushing into the turmoil of our modern times. Yet, on occasions, I come across another who’s reflections transcend the millennia in ways that truly need to be shared.  In this case his name is Henri Nouwen.  These words lack our contemporary requirement for gender inclusivity.  Let’s not take offense.  Let’s look closely.  Read it at least twice.  Perhaps you can find yourself in there?  Perhaps together we can show this chaotic world that “forgiveness is a possibility which dawns on the horizon of humanity.”  Imagine the sunrise such a dawning would bring.

“(This) compassion is authority because it does not tolerate the pressures of the in-group, but breaks through the boundaries between languages and countries, rich and poor, educated and illiterate.  This compassion pulls people away from the fearful clique into the large world where they can see that every human face is the face of a neighbour.  Thus the authority of compassion is the possibility of man to forgive his brother, because forgiveness is only real for him who has discovered the weakness of his friends and the sins of his enemy in his own heart and is willing to call every human being his brother.  A fatherless generation looks for brothers who are able to take away their fear and anxiety, who can open the doors of their narrow-mindedness and show them that forgiveness is a possibility which dawns on the horizon of humanity.”  Henri Nouwen, (The Wounded Healer).