December 2012 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

A Stern Guide (cont) Continue from ...... As we walked through the huge central nave, our guide spotted a young man with a cap on his head. The guide told him without subtlety that this was God's house and that he had to remove his cap or leave. The man left, rather perplexed about the encounter. I was shocked by this confronting, pious, nationalistic, and very moralistic guide. It struck me that the man fits the Munster perfectly. His way of guiding reveals both its greatness and its medieval, clerical, and authoritarian qualities. But what about the young man who was sent away? Would he ever be able to come back and discover the gentle all-forgiving love of God? I bought a few booklets from the guide and promised him I would return. He bring me closer to the mentality of those who built this house of God, which took more than three centuries to finish. He also makes me ask some painful questions about ministry to those who can no longer relate to the powerful God of the Middle Ages but are searching for a tender, compassionate God, who can heal their wounded hearts.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2012. All rights reserved.