Customer Reviews

Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation on Dying and Caring

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This is a great book for all those dealing with the ministry of the pastoral care for the sick or those confronting a illness or death in the family. It demonstrates that although sometimes we cannot take away the physical pain of being sick or dying, often times, the most important part is not adding to the emotional, psychological and more importantly, spiritual pain that those who are suffering often feel. It is a call to compassion through Jesus, who is the best example of compassion that we have.

The death of his friend, "Moe" who had Down's syndrome, caused Henri Nouwen to relook at one inescapable fact of all our lives. Is death so terrible that it must be feared, never spoken of or thought of? Speaker and author Nouwen thinks not and explains his thesis in this brief meditation.

Drawing on his own feelings upon reaching the age when he was closer to his death than his birth and the experiences of many friends, Nouwen crafted a slim volume in which he reminds us that we are children of God, brothers and sisters of each other, and parents of generations to come.

"Our Greatest Gift" is a warm and simple meditation discussing the realities involved in caring for those who are dying and in facing death ourselves.

- Gail Cooke

Our society says that only "productive" people are worthwhile. Nouwen challenges us all to see the inate worth of ALL people, not just those making a salary and contributing to the tax base.

We did a study of this book at Church and it made folks really think about life, death, aging, and the value of their loved ones who are in nursing homes, etc.

Henri Nouwen provides a well thought out view on dying. His concern is that we should treat dying as a normal part of living and we should examine our relationship with God. Death is a beautiful entrence to the Kingdom of Heaven and should be considered the next step in our life with God. This is an excellent book for those in ministry who work with families who are in grief due to the death of a loved one. The material provides background that may be utilized during funerals and consoling family members.

This book is a must read for everyone - not just for those caring for the dying or those who are confronting the issues of aging. Culturally, we are in denial about aging and death. This book takes great strides toward moving those who read it to confront the issues. It is not always a comfortable book to read, particularly if you are in the middle of working with someone for whom death is imminent, but it is absolutely essential to read it despite the discomfort. Highly recommended for everyone who works with people who age - which is all of us!

As pastor's we should teach our people not only how to live well but also how to die well. This is one of those books that impact life. Every pastor should read it and have your congregations read it or beter yet, preach it to them.

Sounds like a good book, my grandpa read through it quickly. Kind of hard to give a book that talks about dying, but death is natural. We all die once physically, but Jesus came so we could live spiritually. My grandpa works in hospice so that it would be a good book to help him in his hospice work and give him comfort as he grows closer to the day when our Lord takes him.

great reading for those over 60 and for clergy as well. a wonderful descriptive little book.