Our Greatest Gift: A Meditation on Dying and Caring

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Book Overview

One of the best-loved spiritual writers of our time takes a moving, personal look at human mortality. As he shares his own experiences with aging, loss, grief, and fear, Nouwen gently and eloquently reveals the gifts that the living and dying can give to one another.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060663138
• ISBN13: 9780060663131
• Release Date: January 1994
• Publisher: HarperOne
• Length: 118 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.7" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

A Must Read

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!

A must read for EVERYONE

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.

Our Greatest Gift: Meditation on Dying and Caring

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.

A WARM, SIMPLE MEDITATION

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

Ministry and Caring

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.