This book was completed only weeks before the author's death in 1996. In this emotionally affecting work, he pays tribute to Adam (1961-1996), a severely handicapped person at L'Arche Daybreak Community where he served as pastor. Although Adam had daily seizures, couldn't speak, and required help with even the most elementary matters in his life, he was for Nouwen, "a sacred person, a holy man, an image of the living God."
With graceful humility the author shows how this spiritual teacher enabled him to slow down, to live for the present moment, to draw close to his own body, and to cherish the love of others. More importantly, Nouwen sees in the life of this broken and vulnerable young man parallels to the ministry, miracles, passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Adam: God's Beloved not only pays homage to a special young man but also lifts up and celebrates the love which is at the shining heart of the Christian experience.
