Dec 2010 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

Continue from ...... A True Experience of Church The reflection weekend is a unique event at L'Arche since it is the only time during the year when the assistants gather without the handicapped people and reflect on their life at L'Arche. It is a retreat, but also a celebration. It is a time to pray, sing, and think, but also a time to get to know each other and feel part of one body. Because the foyers are spread across four different villages and the assistants must be home most of the time, you never realize how many people work at L'Arche. But last night, during the opening of the reflection weekend, I was struck by how large the community really is. At least 250 men and women came together - young, old, married and single, coming from the most diverse places in the world to be with the poor in spirit. A festive mood prevailed, and everyone was happy to have these days to be together. Most of the handicapped men and women have gone home or to their "special families" so that the assistants can receive all the attention for a change. I am coming to realize how generous these people, who usually remain hidden in their busy homes with their broken brothers and sisters, really are. As we were together talking, laughing, singing, and praying, I experienced church in the best sense of that word: a people called together to praise God and to serve the poor.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2010. All rights reserved.