Free Compassion: A Reflection On The Christian Life Ebooks Online
In this provocative essay on that least understood virtue, compassion, the authors challenge themselves and us with these questions: Where do we place compassion in our lives? Is it enough to live a life in which we hurt one another as little as possible? Is our guiding ideal a life of maximum pleasure and minimum pain? Compassion answers no.After years of study and discussion among themselves, with other religious, and with men and women at the very center of national politics, the authors look at compassion with a vigorous new perspective. They place compassion at the heart of a Christian life in a world governed far too long by principles of power and destructive control. Compassion, no longer merely an eraser of human mistakes, is a force of prayer and action -- the expression of God's love for us and our love for God and one another.Compassion is a book that says no to a compassion of guilt and failure and yes to a compassionate love that pervades our spirit and moves us to action. Henri Nouwen, Donald McNeill, and Douglas Morrison have written a moving document on what it means to be a Christian in a difficult time.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Image; Revised ed. edition (January 17, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0385517521
ISBN-13: 978-0385517522
Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.4 x 8.2 inches
Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #19,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #20 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Theology > Ethics #319 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Theology #1385 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Christian Living
The not too well known poet Yosano Akiko wrote, "This one thing will I ask you: Are you with the people or apart from them? Depending on your answer, you and I will be forever divided between heaven and earth." This is the heart of Compassion. Nouwen and his co-authors argue that it is only genuine compassion, the ability to go outside of one's self in love for the other, that we find the meaning of God's love in Christ. It speaks directly to the heart of the Gospel, an incarnate faith in a life of compassion. Christ is known in "the least of these," in the person who is next to you now, on the bus, in the office, at your home. This is one of the books that I would really like to recommend to any Christian, regardless of their interests in theology or spirituality.Centered around the self-emptying, kenotic love of God in Christ, the book reminds us that Christianity is not a dogma, or a rule, or some system, but rather a Person. The authors use St. Paul's letter to the Philippians, 2:6-11, as the scriptural touchstone of the book. "In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus..." Dogmas and theologies are footnotes, Nouwen suggests, to the reality of the crucified and risen Christ as experienced by the disciples and his followers. They are essential, but they are not the "thing" in itself. To come to know the meaning of our lives, our creation, we must enter into the love of God directly through compassion.Anyone in the field of social services would benefit from this book immensely. Sometimes we loose sight of the value and meaning of our lives. This book is an antidote.This insightful work is divided into three parts. 1) The Compassionate God- examining the nature and mission of Christ and what he tells us about the Father.
The book, Compassion, a Reflection on the Christian Life, by Henri Nouwen, Donald McNeill, and Douglas Morrison is about the meaning and role of compassion in a Christian's life. The book is a collection of reflections by the three authors and some of their friends, gathered in a series of weekly meetings, as they discussed what compassion means in our society. The book was written many years after these meetings. The book does not mention how the writing was divided among the three authors. The introduction makes it clear that these authors are not talking about simple compassion, as most people understand the concept, but rather, a literal "suffering with" compassion; one that requires us to enter into places of pain, and to share the misery of those who suffer. It is a compassion that is contrary to our natural goals in life; competition for a better life, to be on top, to have distinct identities. To really understand compassion we need to make a radical change of heart and mind, which the authors feel Jesus' meant when he said: "Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate."The authors suggest our service to our fellow human being requires radical commitment and self self-sacrifice (in my opinion, they are suggesting self-flagellation). Compassion happens in the world when true Christian community is formed. Each member of the community can contribute with their own skill set, according to God's will for each of us, in order to the serve a great variety of needs (page 58). In my opinion, the best part of the book was the chapter on prayer. Prayer and action are an essential part of patience. Prayer strengthens our discipleship, and allows the Spirit of God to speak freely to us.
Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life Compassion Haiku: Daily insights and practices for developing compassion for yourself and for others William N. Copley: Reflection on a Past Life Theological Reflection: Connecting Faith and Life (Catholic Basics: A Pastoral Ministry Series) Crisis and Renewal: The Era of the Reformations (Westminster History of Christian Thought) (Westminster Histories of Christian Thought) (The Westminster History of Christian Thought) Whatever Is Lovely: A Coloring Book for Reflection and Worship This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection Journeying Through the Days 2013: A Calendar and Journal for Personal Reflection Journeying Through The Days 2011: A Calendar and Journal for Personal Reflection The Way: 40 Days of Reflection: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus The Supper of the Lamb: A Culinary Reflection (Modern Library Paperbacks) The Shakers: Two Centuries of Spiritual Reflection (Classics of Western Spirituality (Paperback)) The SBC and the 21st Century: Reflection, Renewal, & Recommitment .NET Framework Standard Library Annotated Reference, Volume 2: Networking Library, Reflection Library, and XML Library Manresa: An Edible Reflection Days of Awe: A Treasury of Jewish Wisdom for Reflection, Repentance, and Renewal on the High Holy Days Soul to Soul: Fourteen Gatherings for Reflection and Sharing Daily Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection Reflection An Open Heart: Practicing Compassion in Everyday Life
