October 2009 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

Continue from ...... Not Milk, but Solid Food I still spend much energy convincing them of God's love, calling them to community, and offering them a place to experience the peace of Jesus. That kind of ministry is appropriate in a secular university, where students are fully caught up in the race for achievement. But here there is no urge to success; here time is filled with dressing, feeding, carrying, and just being with those in need. It is a very demanding and tiring way, but there is no rivalry, no degree to be acquired, no honour to be desired - just faithful service. I do not want to romaniticize the young men and women at L'Arche. I am too aware of their struggles, imperfections, and unfulfilled longings. Still, they have made a choice that few have made. Their need is less to be convinced of the importance of that choice than to find encouragement to continue, new perspectives to keep them from falling into a spiritual "rut," and support to remain faithful to what they have already chosen. What they need, to use the words of the apostle Paul, is not milk, but solid food (1 Corinthians 3:2). This is a new challenge for me, It requires me to develop the art of "spiritual companionship" with these fellow travellers. I now realize that the Gospel of John was written for men and women like these. It was written for mature spiritual persons who do not want to argue about elementary issues, but who want to be introduced into the mysteries of the divine life. I must truly be a man of prayer to be able to respond to this desire. Tonight we prayed especially for John. I wished I could be with the many who will gather today in California for the memorial service, to express gratitude for having known him. May he now find the love he searched for with so much pain and agony during his short life. Cries for Affection The November issue of Messages des Secours Catholiques, a monthly newsletter published by a French Catholic organisation for emergency relief, is filled with gripping stories aobut human lonelinesss. The headline, which I have also seen printed on a poster hanging in many churches, says, "La solitude, Ca existe. La solidarite aussi," which means "Loneliness exists; solidarity, too!" I am moved to see loneliness described as a form of suffering that afflicts not only poor people, prisoners, and the elderly, but also well-educated young adults. Loneliness is first of all a cry for affection. The many letters received by the Secours Catholiques agency ask not just for food, shelter, money, or a job, but also, and often with greater urgency, for affection.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2009. All rights reserved.