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

Struggling with the Nature of Friendship Continue from ...... When we truly love God and share in his glory, our relationships lose their complusive character. We reach out to people not just to receive their affirmation, but also to allow them to participate in the love we have come to knowthrough Jesus. Thus true friendship becomes an expression of a greater love. It is hard work to remind each other constantly of the truth, but it is worth the effort. Constant mutual fforgiveness and a continual openness to the love of God are the disciplines which allow us to grow together in friendship. The Small Seductions of a Sensual World Today Jonas and I spent an afternoon and an evening in Compiegne. We considered going to Paris but were not fully convinced that riding trains and subways, finding a place to stay, and seeing churches and museums would be the best way to condlude out time together at L'Arche. We decided to go to Compiegne and then see if going on to Paris would be attractive to both of us. In Compiegne it was market day. Thousands of people were walking through the streets, going from stand to stand, looking, arguing, and buying. Parents with their children, small groups of teenagers, single men and women, and elderly couples had all come to town on Saturday to buy for the holiday (Monday, November 11, is Armistice Day) to do their banking, or just to meet friends and have a good time. Both Jonas and I were struck by the sharp contrast between our quiet, prayerful week in Trosly and our restless, noisy, busy, and crowded afternoon in town. We felt ourselves being distracted, scattered, pulled away from our centre, and drawn into the anonymous life of strangers. After a time of peace and joy lived in community, we both experienced a certain inner restlessness and sadness. It seemed as if the city were tempting us with its sensuality: its many colours, movements, things to buy, and people to look at. Jonas spoke about the return of the "desiring mind" after a period of being among the poor and handicapped in a somewhat desire-free way. Our curiosity, which had left us for a while, returned with new force. We both experienced in the people movements, and places of Compiegne a temptation to lose touch with God's kingdom and be swept up by desires for the many "other things" (Luke 12:31) of this world. We were glad we could talk about these things. Often such experiences remain hidden and cause much shame and guilt. But by confessing to each other how easily we are seduced by the attractions of the world, we affirmed our true commitment and safeguarded that commitment in each other. I now understand much better why Jesus sent his disciples into the world in groups of two rather than alone. Together, they could maintain the spirit of pace and love they found in his company and could share these gifts with everyone they me. After four hours in Compiegne, we decided to return to Trosly and have a quiet, prayerful Sunday there. We weren't ready for Paris yet!

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