Fr. Henri Nouwen published an amazing book named: “Turn mourning into dancing” in 2001. In the book, he suggests 5 movements of a life grounded in God.

Prudently, he confirms that these movements will not make the pain disappear or expect to avoid shadowed valleys and long nights. ! Instead of that, we can be healed and cured by dancing God’s healing choreography. From there, our wounded spirit can dance again without fears of suffering and even death. Consequently, we can live with lasting hope and love.

Today, we are going to look at the first movement: FROM OUR LITTLE SELVES TO A LARGER WORLD.

“Healing begins with our taking our pain out of its diabolic isolation and seeing that whatever we suffer, we suffer it in communion with all of humanity, and yes, all of creation. In doing so, we become participants in the great battle against the powers of darkness. Our little lives participate in something larger.”

Yeap, we are not alone in this world. We all are on the way to be healed. So, how can we turn pain from a long interruption into an opportunity?

Let’s count our losses!

Jesus said: “For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Matt 9:13). “Jesus affirmed that only those who can face their wounded condition can be available for healing and enter a new way of living.”

When we are honest by looking at our own vulnerability, our weaknesses, our losses. We can see in our suffering, no apart from it, Jesus enters our sadness, takes us hand, pulls us gently up to stand, and invites us to dance. “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Ps 30:11), because at the centre of our grief we find the grace of God.

With love,

Butchivuive’s reflection is based on “Turn Mourning into Dancing” by Henri Nouwen.