By Henri Nouwen
If you would ask the Desert Fathers why solitude gives birth to compassion they would say “because it makes us die to our neighbor.” At first, this answer seem quite disturbing to a modern mind. But when we give it a closer look we can see that in order to be of service to others we have to die to them; that is we have to give up measuring our meaning and value with the yardstick of others. To die to our neighbors means to stop judging them, to stop evaluating them and thus become free to be compassionate. Compassion can never coexist with judgment . . . (The Way of the Heart, Henri J. M. Nouwen, Ballantine Books, New York, 1981, pg. 25.)
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The next StreetReach days helping the homeless living on our very own American streets are coming the last weekend of January. Please partner with us to sponsor water ($20), van insurance ($50), Bibles ($75), and there is an urgent need for van upkeep - $100. Donate at: http://www.servantsofthefather.org/donation_homeless or post checks to - Servants of the Father of Mercy, Inc., P.O. Box 42001, Los Angeles, CA 90042.
All Donations are Tax Deductible
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