Book Review

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Bread for the Journey
A Daybook of Wisdom and Faith
Henri J. M. Nouwen
HarperSanFrancisco 01/97 Hardcover $20.00
ISBN: 0-06-066376-6

Here are 366 meditations by Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), the prolific spiritual writer who was also the senior pastor of L'Arche Daybreak in Toronto, Canada. If you look at these writings as a form of spiritual direction, they will guide you into a fresh appreciation of Christianity.

Nouwen writes eloquently about living in the present moment, dressing ourselves with gentleness, and creating beautiful memories. He sees forgiveness as "the cement of community life," listening as "spiritual hospitality," and the church as "the garden of God's grace."

Some of the most inspiring pages in this daybook are the ones in which the author explores the difficult subject of death and the Christian challenge of "making our lives fruitful for those we leave behind." Bread for the Journey is a fine parting contribution in the large legacy of spiritual wisdom bequeathed to us by Henri J. M. Nouwen.

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by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat