Monday of the
First Week of Lent
(Leviticus 19:1-2.11-18; Matthew 25:31-46)
Fr. Henri Nouwen was perhaps the most noted spiritual
writer in English during the last quarter of the twentieth century. In his final years he often wrote of L’Arche,
the movement uniting in community persons with severe disabilities with caregivers. In one essay Fr. Nouwen described his service
in an L’Arche community to an almost helpless youth named Adam. Although a priest for decades with an unparalleled
appreciation of the spiritual life, Nouwen learned from the young man the meaning
of today’s gospel.
Adam may not have
had many alternatives; nevertheless, he allowed Nouwen to take care of
him. He evidently maintained his
composure even when he was in pain from his caretaker’s awkward assistance. In any event Adam proved himself like Jesus
in that in being helped, he brought his helper a “peace that the world cannot
give.” The lessons were simple and yet
profound. First, Adam revealed to the
author that what is truly important is a human person’s being not his success. Second, Adam showed that what makes a human
person an image of God is not the mind that comprehends reality but the heart
that lets go of preoccupation with self to embrace another in love. Finally, Adam demonstrated the importance of
community since, like everyone else, he needed others to survive but, unlike
most people, he was unable to hide that truth.
During Lent God invites us to find His Son in
others. The more we assist suffering people,
the more we will recognize that it is Jesus whom we are caring for. In so doing, he lifts us from our own misery
to the joy of his company.
