Customer Reviews

Can You Drink the Cup?

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3 star:		(1)
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Nouwen gives us another excellent look at the spritual life, and how we can live it to the fullest, this time by using the metaphor, of holding, lifting, and drinking the cup, as Christ did in his life, death, and resurrection. We see that in order to truly drink our cups, we must be willing to drink both joy and sorrow, to in effect, drink life to its fullest, "to the dregs," if you will. Nouwen ably uses examples of hospitality and from his life with the mentally disabled at L'arche Daybreak to make his points. Especially poignant is the story of a visit he makes to one resident who has to spend time in a mental institution, and how that resident breaks down barriers to bring joy and hospitality to some rather stuffy people.

What was so wonderful about Henri Nouwen was that God was everywhere for him, in the simple as well as the most complex. His message of hope and love resonnates not only with his core Catholic constituents, but with Protestants like me, and I suspect, with people of other faiths as well. I have yet to read a book of his that hasn't moved me and helped me grow in my faith. This one is no exception. Definitely a keeper and one to be reread!

This was the first book I was required to read for a class I'm currently taking. The best way to describe it is life changing. It is not a book that can be read in one sitting even though it is a relatively short book. It raises so many questions and issues that I will be rereading it again because of how much I probably missed the first time. It speaks of raising the cup which is celebrating life in all of its many joys and sorrows. Looking at the cup which is reflecting on each experience that life brings. Can you drink the cup of life, down to the dregs? I highly recommend this book to everyone in search of purpose of life and the destiny we all have.

One of Nouwen's more autobiograhical books and also one of his last, this quiet meditation on how we deal with the difficult parts of life was very helpful to me as a parent of a child with disability. The descriptions of the L'Arche community sent me to other Nouwen works to learn more about that movement. This is very simply written and positive in its outlook. I would recommend it for an adult discussion group and also for private devotional reading (and re-reading).

Only 111 pages... Nouwen uses the cup and the different steps we go through when we drink: Holding the cup, Lifting the cup, and Drinking the cup as a way to discuss the human condition, and the things we must face such as how joy and sorrow are often 2 sides of the same coin. He also uses stories from his own experience and scriptural excerpts to illustrate his points.

During this past Lent season, I fasted and contemplated for a while. I came across this book by Henri Nouwen. His other book "Out of Solitude" helped me much when I was taught about fast and contemplation 15, 16 years ago, so I picked this up, got a cup of mocha, and started reading...

Through the years, my life goes on and on, occupied by work, family, church, and everything seemed all smooth and peaceful.

Unknowingly, I have suppressed in my mind much life's hardship, sufferings that cross my paths.

This little book somehow restores wholeness (catholic) back to my incomplete self, not by teaching information, but by sharing with me Henri's own personal journey and reflection.

Insteading of compartmentalizing my memories, embracing and deepening life's hardship, uncertainty, sadness brings me healing.

Now I live my life with peace and strength not of this world.

Nouwen's writing style flows well and is succinct. Many touching, real life examples to illustrate his thoughts about how we should live our lives to the fullest. He uses the analogy of "the cup" not just in terms of Christ, but also the cultural ceremony we have developed over socializing with friends over a drink. Very well done.

This book gives the reader a new perspective on how to approach communion. Regular participation in the Eucharist sometimes leads us to forget the necessity as well as the commitment it takes to receive the Eucharist. This book reminds us not only why we approach the Eucharist but also what acceptance of the Eucharist and chalice truly means for the practicing Catholic. This ia a book to own and to re-read during our lifes.

I am a student of Nouwen's work, and I must say this is a shining star of his books. Although short, there is a lot of truth to be had from reading this inspiring analogy of the spiritual life. Fr. Nouwen definitely knew the heart of God for the people he lived with, and it shows!

The wisest man who ever lived called us to drink the cup with him. Henri Nouwen writes of this call with jewel-like clarity. Once again he captures the essence of the journey into the deep place where the true self is found.

This book clearly speaks to both the joys and challenges of life. Nouwen teaches that by learning how to embrace all that live offers, we are able to both come closer to what God intends for us and closer to the communities in which we live. Helpful for understanding the journeys that we all travel.