Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation on Dying and Caring (Paperback)

by Henri J. M. Nouwen (Author) "When I became sixty, the Daybreak commu gave me a big party..." (more)
Key Phrases: divine childhood, Spirit of God

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Nouwen, well-loved author of such books as The Wounded Healer , offers us here a gentle, almost meditative book on coming to terms with death. Reflecting on his own not-so-distant future death, as well as on the deaths of loved ones and friends, he shares his view of death as a gift, an opportunity to impart hope to those around us, whether through our own dying or in our caretaking of someone else. In embracing death, says Nouwen, one comes to ask: "How can I so live that I can continue to be fruitful when I am no longer here among my family and friends?" One can, in other words, make choices that effect not just one's self but also the generations to come--choices to care well, to die well and to embrace Grace. If there is a limitation to this book it lies in its failure to deal explicitly as well as implicitly with sudden and/or violent death. This is a very comforting book that will appeal to the general reader as well as the religious or to health professionals.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"It's a new way of looking at death, one with an up side." -- -- Miami Herald

"...a very comforting book....Nouwen offers us here a gentle, almost meditative book on coming to terms with death." -- Publishers Weekly

"It's a new way of looking at death, one with an up side." -- Miami Herald

"One of my favorite 'caregivers,' Henri Nouwen challenges us to accept our death as part of our spiritual journey, not it's end.....Nouwen continues to be a must read." -- Capital Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne (April 15, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060663553
• ISBN-13: 978-0060663551
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #192,204 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ministry and Caring, February 14, 2000

By	"fbruno777" (Miami, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A WARM, SIMPLE MEDITATION, December 9, 2004

By	Gail Cooke (TX, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Our greatest gift: A meditation on dying and caring

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

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Our Greatest Gift: Meditation on Dying and Caring, September 25, 2005

By	Chuck (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) - See all my reviews

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.