From Pastor Squires: Special Message about "Slow Lent" Series
On Ash Wednesday, we embarked on a Wednesday Lenten series I have written based on Henri Nouwen's The Way of the Heart, contemplating a spiritual path through solitude, silence, and prayer. That was my plan...is my plan, but now there's pain associated with that plan. Over the past weekend (Feb 22-23), it was revealed that Nouwen's friend, Jean Vanier, was sexually exploiting women as part of his ministry in the L'Arche community he founded. A community where Nouwen also found solace and spiritual encouragement. Nouwen counted Vanier as a close friend.
How do these revelations now color our use of Nouwen's writings? I am not sure. The below article is well-written about the struggle.
What I do know is that we will dedicate prayers each Wednesday for those women abused by Vanier and women abused around the world, especially within the Church.
Where Nouwen speaks truth from God's Word, we will still gain encouragement. But any spiritual guide who is not Christ Himself is a flawed sinner. And yet, here we again are reminded that God chooses to use flawed sinful people to be spiritual guides so that we turn our eyes to the only Good Shepherd...Jesus Christ.
How do these revelations now color our use of Nouwen's writings? I am not sure. The below article is well-written about the struggle.
What I do know is that we will dedicate prayers each Wednesday for those women abused by Vanier and women abused around the world, especially within the Church.
Where Nouwen speaks truth from God's Word, we will still gain encouragement. But any spiritual guide who is not Christ Himself is a flawed sinner. And yet, here we again are reminded that God chooses to use flawed sinful people to be spiritual guides so that we turn our eyes to the only Good Shepherd...Jesus Christ.
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