Description:
Have you ever thought of yourself as a "vessel of love?" This image speaks to what I envision for the elderhood years. The vast life experiences of the past provided countless opportunities for our love to grow and mature. The persons we have known, what we have done or had done to us, the beliefs stretching our minds and hearts, what we gained and what we shed, the results of our choices and decisions, our deliberate participation in the evolving history of the world--all this and more we bring with us into the final decades.
During this lifetime, whether we've been aware or not, a Presence of immeasurable love has been flowing through those experiences, quietly filling the vessel of our inner being. Like vats of matured wine, our ripened goodness has readied itself to move outward. The Beguine mystic, Mechthild of Magdeburg, trusted that "the great flood of divine love never ceases. ...It flows on and on effortlessly and sweetly and without failing until, finally, our tiny vessel becomes full and spills over." Now is the efficacious time to tend "our tiny vessel" so this graced goodness strengthens in us and benefits the life of those we encounter.
Brief description: Joyce Rupp is well known for her work as a writer, international retreat leader, and conference speaker. She is the author of numerous bestselling books, including Praying Our Goodbyes, Open the Door, and Fragments of Your Ancient Name. Her Orbis books include Prayer, Walk in a Relaxed Manner: Life Lessons from the Camino, and The Cosmic Dance (with art by Mary Southard).
Review Quotes:
"Have you ever thought of yourself as a 'vessel of love'? This image speaks to what I envision for the elderhood years. .. . During this lifetime, whether we've been aware or not, a Presence of immeasurable love has been flowing through [our lives], quietly filling the vessel of our inner being. Like vats of matured wine, our ripened goodness has readied itself to move outward. . . .Now is the efficacious time to tend 'our tiny vessel' so this graced goodness strengthens in us and benefits the life of those we encounter."--From the introduction
"Joyce Rupp's gentle touch transforms the wisdom years so we can relish--in simple, heartfelt, and uplifting ways--such essential themes as self-compassion, letting go, and sharing our own goodness with hope, gratitude, freedom, and spiritual depth. Vessels of Love is pure gift."--Robert Wicks, author, Let's Look Together: Henri Nouwen as Spiritual Mentor
"She had me from page one. . . Who wouldn't want to become a 'crucible of kindness, ' poured out for others? Not denying the loneliness, pain, regrets, and losses of aging, Joyce Rupp's prayers and poems celebrate the festival of lights within, an abundance of memories and gifts."--Kathy Coffey, author, A Generous Lap: A Spirituality of Grandparenting