Heart Speaks To Heart Paperback

In his latter years, Henri Nouwen ministered at Daybreak, the l'Arche Community in Toronto. Pauline Vanier, Mother of l'Arche's founder, suggested that he write about the Sacred Heart. Personal circumstances eventually led him to accept 'an invitation to let the heart of Jesus touch my own heart deeply and to be healed by that experience (p. 16); these are meditations not 'about' Jesus, but addressed to Him. They are based on three passages from the Gospels: 'Come to Me, all you who labour...'; '...one of the soldiers pierced His side...'; '...He showed them His hands and His side'. Nouwen's words are direct and humble. While opening up his own heart to the Lord, we readers are able to share the same thoughts so that his prayer becomes our own - and there is still space for our own thoughts, fears, aspirations and thanks to be expressed. 'I have not seen you and yet I truly see you every time I look at the broken bodies of my fellow human beings' (p. 56): in such phrases does he affirm the presence of Christ among us. For those who find the 'traditional devotions' to the Sacred Heart, at best, uninspiring, and, at worst, off-putting, yet who want to appreciate His love for us, these conversations will be most refreshing.