Proclaiming The Gospel Of Jesus ChristSýnishorn

LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are you not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:46-47 

Henry Nouwen was a mighty man of God and an extraordinary theologian. He went home to the Lord in 1996. He had several doctorates in theology and spoke at conferences everywhere. When he was in his prime, God said to him, “Leave your preaching. Leave all those appointments all over the world.” God sent him to L’Arche in Canada, a shelter for mentally disabled people. God said, “I want you to minister to them.” 

That’s exactly what Henri Nouwen did. For the last ten years of his life, he ministered to those mentally disabled people. He had to look after a man about thirty years old called Adam. He had to get Adam out of bed every morning, wash him, brush his teeth, shave him, dress him and feed him. Then he had to take him for walks. This man couldn’t speak or respond in any way. Henri Nouwen said those ten years were the finest time of his life. He learned more from and about God at L’ Arche that in all his years at all those fancy theological seminaries and universities. 

Henri Nouwen said if you want to be the greatest, if you want to be used by God, focus on “downward mobility”. That’s the upside-down Gospel we’re proclaiming. 

The upside-down Gospel asks us to love not only those who love you, but to love all people, no matter how different they are from you. 

Lord Jesus, give me more of Your love in my heart so that I will be able to love You and my neighbour with Your love. Amen