Much violence is based on the illusion that life is a property to be defended and not to be shared.
Interpretation
Violence often stems from the belief that life is something to be owned rather than collectively experienced.
In this quote, Henri Nouwen emphasizes that much of the violence we see in the world arises from a misguided perspective that life and its resources are personal possessions to be safeguarded. Instead, he argues that life should be viewed as a shared experience that fosters community and mutual support, suggesting that when we prioritize ownership and defense over sharing and collaboration, conflict and violence inevitably follow.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about conflict resolution.
The Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her own vulnerable self. God loves us, not because of what we do or accomplish, but because God has created and redeemed us in love.
The immense joy in welcoming back the lost son hides in the immense sorrow that has gone before....our brokenness may appear beautiful, but our brokenness has no other beauty but the beauty that comes from the compassion that surrounds it.
Suffering invites us to place our hurts in larger hands. In Christ we see God suffering β for us. And calling us to share in Godβs suffering love for a hurting world. The small and even overpowering pains of our lives are intimately connected with the greater pains of Christ. Our daily sorrows are anchored in a greater sorrow and therefore a larger hope.
To listen is very hard, because it asks of us so much interior stability that we no longer need to prove ourselves by speeches, arguments, statements or declarations. True listeners no longer have an inner need to make their presence known. They are free to receive, welcome, to accept.
Waiting is a dry desert between where we are and where we want to be. (Finding My Way Home)
Becoming the beloved is pulling the truth revealed to me from above down into the ordinariness of what I am, in fact, thinking of, talking about and doing from hour to hour.
The true objective of war is peace.
Underlying the whole scheme of civilization is the confidence men have in each other, confidence in their integrity, confidence in their honesty, confidence in their future.
I remember, I remember The fir-trees dark and high; I used to think their slender tops Were close against the sky; It was a childish ignorance, But now 't is little joy To know I'm farther off from heaven Than when I was a boy.
Could I get mansions covering ten thousand miles, I'd house all the poor scholars and make them beam with smiles
Killing people because you don't like their ideas - it's a bad thing.
Oh, yes. I'd do it all again; the spirit is willing yet; I feel the same desire to do the work but the flesh is weak. It's too bad that our bodies wear out while our interests are just as strong as ever.
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