The Eucharist is central to Nouwen's spiritual understanding and practice. To a degree this is because of his spiritual training, and to a degree it mirrors his own understanding of the intimacy shared with Christ and one's brother or sister when coming to the table of our Lord. The communion meal calls those who partake to humility. Nouwen quotes Paul's great hymn to the Philippian church, saying of Christ, our example, "...he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being, he was humbler yet, even to...death on a cross." The bread and cup must never become mere rituals of faith. They are holy reminders of God's great love, calling us every time we partake to proclaim once more the sacrifice of God's Son, for in doing so, "we reveal to each other the real story of Christ's life and our lives in him." (Nouwen, p.50) In brokenness, Christ has given...in brokenness, let us receive and share.
JKA
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