Here is another release of a sturdy and evergreen book by Henri Nouwen, the popular Dutch Catholic priest who died in 1990 but who lives on in a never ending stream of volumes by and about him. Jesus: A Gospel is edited with an introduction by Michael O'Laughlin, who was Nouwen's teaching assistant at Harvard. He notes that although this prolific writer infused his teachings with mentions of Jesus, he never wrote a book about his life. O'Laughlin has woven together scenes from the gospels juxtaposed with comments by Nouwen; the text is reverently illustrated with drawings by Rembrandt.
In Bread for the Journey: A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith, Nouwen wrote: "The whole message of the Gospel is this: Become like Jesus." Yet throughout the history of the Christian church, believers have been reluctant to take on their divine inheritance and follow the descending path of the Lord. Nouwen salutes Mary for saying yes to God, and he marvels at the birth of Jesus as a sign that "in God's eyes the most significant is often the most hidden."
As a wisdom teacher, Jesus eschews fanfare and fame for the simple path of humility. Nouwen also states that the life of this man from Nazareth demonstrates that not to be in control is part of the human condition. He preaches that the love of God and the unity we seek are both divine gifts.
