The spiritual life is a life beyond moods. It is a life in which we choose joy and do not allow ourselves to become victims of passing feelings of happiness or depression.
Henri NouwenThe great teachers are always those who can live the tension. They are not criticizing everybody, they're not complaining. They give young people a vision.
Henri NouwenWhen we break bread and give it to each other, fear vanishes and God becomes very close.
Henri NouwenThe mystery of the spiritual life is that Jesus desires to meet us in the seclusion of our own heart, to make his love known to us there, to free us from our fears, and to make our own deepest self known to us Each time you let the love of God penetrate deeper into your heart it leads to a love of ourselves that enables us to give whole-hearted love to our fellow human beings. In the seclusion of our hearts we learn to know the hidden presence of God; and with that spiritual knowledge we can lead a loving life.
Henri Nouwen