Aug 2013 The Road to Daybreak A Spiritual Journey by Henri J M Nouwen

Continue from ...... The Descending Way Friends Meet Friends A day full of hellos and good-byes back at Trosly. Madame Vanier, Paquita, Barbara, Simone, Mirella and many others welcomed us warmly and showed sincere joy at seeing both of us again. The most important event of the day for me was a lunch with Jonas and Nathan. Although Jonas had met Nathan during his last visit, they had not come to know each other well. Since my friendship with Nathan has grown so quickly and deeply during the past few months, I was eager to give Jonas and Nathan a chance to get to know each other better. Friendships need to be shared; I was very glad that Jonas could spend some more time with Nathan before his return to Boston. We spoke mostly about friendship and its importance in our lives. What I remember most was our discussion about the importance of confessing our struggles to each other, not just when they became unbearable, but very early on. Jonas said, "The demons love darkness and hiddenness. Inner fears and struggles which remain isolated develop great power over us. But when we talk about them in a spirit of trust, then they can be looked at and dealt with. Once brought into the light of mutual love, demons lose their power and quickly leave us." I realized that what Jonas said was the core of the sacrament of penance. Through confession and forgiveness we can experience the healing, reconciling, and recreating power of God's love. I was glad to realize that what I had learned through the practice of the sacrament of confession had implications for a life of faithful friendship. Just as the celebration of the Eucharist calls us to gratitude at all times and places, so, too, does the celebration of the sacrament of penance calls us to a way of living in which we are always willing to confess and forgive. When I took Jonas to the railroad station that night and waved good-bye to him, I felt deeply grateful for the bonds of friendship that had grown during the last months. These bonds make large distances seem small and heave burdens feel light.

- To Be Continued - © Copyright Shalom 2013. All rights reserved.