Show me the way: Readings for each day of Lent

by Henri J.M. Nouwen

Readings for each day of Lent.

Genres: Devotional, Christian, Faith, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Religion, Christianity

143 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen was a Dutch Catholic priest, theologian, psychologist, professor, and spiritual writer whose work profoundly shaped contemporary Christian spirituality. Born in Nijkerk, the Netherlands, in 1932, Nouwen pursued religious studies and was ordained a priest in 1957. His intellectual curiosity led him to study psychology at the Catholic University of Nijmegen and later at the Menninger Clinic in Kansas, where he explored the connection between faith and mental health. Throughout his life, Nouwen remained committed to integrating pastoral care, psychology, and spiritual theology in a way that addressed the emotional and existential needs of believers.
Nouwen held teaching positions at prestigious institutions including the University of Notre Dame, Yale Divinity School, and Harvard Divinity School. He authored over three dozen books and hundreds of articles, with notable works such as The Wounded Healer, The Return of the Prodigal Son, Life of the Beloved, and The Inner Voice of Love. His writing, often rooted in personal vulnerability and spiritual struggle, resonated with readers across denominations. Nouwen openly explored themes of loneliness, identity, intimacy, and the human desire for love and belonging, making his voice especially relatable and influential.
Though he was a gifted academic and popular speaker, Nouwen found his deepest calling later in life through his involvement with L’Arche, a network of communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. After a transformative stay at the original L’Arche community in France, Nouwen accepted an invitation to become the pastor of L’Arche Daybreak in Richmond Hill, Ontario. There he developed a close bond with Adam Arnett, a core member with severe disabilities, which inspired the book Adam: God’s Beloved. At Daybreak, Nouwen discovered a deep spiritual home and a community that helped him embrace his humanity in profound ways.
Throughout his life, Nouwen wrestled with issues of identity, including his sexuality and his longing for connection, though he remained faithful to his vows. His openness about depression and inner conflict gave depth to his pastoral message, and his ability to turn personal struggle into shared spiritual insight made him one of the most beloved spiritual writers of the 20th century.
Henri Nouwen died in 1996 of a sudden heart attack, but his legacy endures through his writings, the Henri Nouwen Society, and the continued global reach of his message of belovedness, vulnerability, and compassionate community. His books remain bestsellers, widely read in seminaries, churches, and among individuals seeking a more intimate walk with God.

Reviews

[Ray LaManna · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, great meditations for the Lenten season from a great spiritual thinker

[Claire Stanovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nouwen crushed it. Here's what I learned: Lent is the obedience of Jesus out of love which led Him to a suffering and descending life and ultimate act of sacrifice on the cross for our redemption so that we might:
(1) see the brokenness of the world & counter-culturally turn our grip to Him
(2) realize our need to cry out for His mercy even when we doubt that He will really give it to our sinful & distracted hearts
(3)ultimately empty ourselves to be full participants in the Kingdom & good hosts here on earth
(4)experience the love of God, what our heart so longs for
(5)accept that that love gives us our strength to continue His mission
(6)acknowledge that even when His presence is unnoticed by us, He is solidly and wildly consistent

This season was so Holy.

"Let my love touch the deepest, most hidden corners of your heart and reveal to you your own beauty, a beauty that you have lost sight of, but which will become visible to you again in the light of my mercy. Come, come, let me wipe your tears, and let my mouth come close to your ear and say to you, 'I love you, I love you, I love you' (60).

[Rebekah Laughbaum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little Lenten read! I’m not sure if it’s because it wasn’t Nouwen’s strongest writing, or that I personally am in a ~funky~ season with God, but it didn’t hit quite the same that some of his other stuff has in the past (thus the knocking down of one star). There were a few days that were particularly excellent though, so I’ll still give it 4 ;)

[Zandy Barner · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This season of Lent, during which winter and spring struggle with each other for dominance, helps in a special way to cry out for God’s mercy.”

A beautiful daily read that helped me refocus my attention to the Lord during the 47 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter.

[booklady]

God willing, I shall read this next Lent...although it will hard to top Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross by Father Richard John Neuhaus!

[Susie Porier · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Easter is a time of hope. There still is fear, there still is a painful awareness of sinfulness, but there also is light breaking through. […] our Lord walks with us on the road and keeps explaining the Scriptures to us. Thus there are many rays of hope casting their light on our way through life.”

The simplest Lenten devotional. I looked forward to reading every day. The best chapter is by far the one titled “Returning”.

“[…] But Jesus came to open my ears to another voice that says, "I am your God, I have molded you with my own hands, and I love what I have made. I love you with a love that has no limits. Do not run away from me. Come back to me - not once, not twice, bualways again You are my child. How can you ever doubt that I will embrace you again, hold you against my breast, kiss you and let my hands run through your hair? I am your God - the God of mercy and compassion, the God of pardon and love, the God of tenderness and care. Please do not say that I have given up on you, that I cannot stand you any more, that there is no way back. It is not true. I so much want you to be with me. I so much want you to be close to me.
I know all your thoughts. I hear all your words. I see all of your actions. And I love you because you are beautiful. made in my own image, an expression of my most intimate love. Do not judge yourself. Do not condemn yourself. Do not reiect yourself. Let my love touch the deepest, most hidden corners of vour heart and reveal to you your own beauty, a beauty that you have lost sight of, but that will become visible to you again in the light of my mercy.
Come, come, let me wipe your tears, and let my mouth come close to your ear and say to you, I love you, I love you, I love you.'"
This is the voice that Jesus wants us to hear. It is the voice that calls us always to return to the one who has created us in love and wants to re-create us in mercy.”

[Rendi Hahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely collection of daily readings for Lent by Henri Nouwen. He took excerpts from several of his other books and arranged them with a scripture, two readings, and a prayer for each day. I went through this with a friend and enjoyed it very much. Many thanks to Naomi Walters for the recommendation!

[Cameron Barham]

“What a faith! What a hope! What a love! The body is not a prison to escape from, but a temple in which God already dwells, and in which God’s glory will be fully manifested on the day of the resurrection.”, p. 139

[Melody Franco · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second Lenten season reading through this book, and I found it just as lovely, convicting, and beautifully written as last year. Henri Nouwen has such a poignant way of expressing the heart of God and the human condition. Happy Easter! He is Risen!

[Claire Reynolds (DeHaan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every year and its beauty is refreshing every time. There are some typos in my copy but the content is wonderful.

[Maddie Hsin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I quite enjoy Nouwen, so this was nice. I probably had too high of expectations with this (fresh off of The Way of the Heart). Nouwen is a great spiritual writer, I just don't know that I was gonna get the most out of it this year

As with most devo readings, some hit harder than others, and there definitely were some great ones! I think I'll try this one again next year and see if it feels any different.

2024 update: a good one to read during Lent, not my favorite Nouwen, but nice to read with someone else this time :)

[Kelly]

Found this book about the third week of Lent. Ah, well. Better late than never. Quarantine feels kinda like an on-going Lenten season....
17 Feb 2021 I have begun this book again. It's Ash Wednesday and I hope to read this book every morning until Easter. This is the task I set for myself this Lenten season.
"It is Finished"
Alleluia, Alleluia, The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and will continue to read this devotional every year. New things stick out every time, always pointing me to the cross.

[Ronald · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife and I read this for Lent this 2019. It is the best book of Lent devotionals we have read. Nouwen is profound and sometimes, perhaps, beyond my full comprehension. But his unique takes on some of the topics was so meaningful to us. One star is deducted for the terrible misspellings and non-sequiturs in this version. Did anyone even look at the finished product? But Henri's insight into the mission and suffering of our Christ will not be forgotten.

My Kindle edition is filled with highlights that I will go back to more than once. A small sample: God says to us "You are my child. How can you ever doubt that I will embrace you again, hold you against my breast, kiss you and let my hands run through your hair?... I know all your thoughts. I hear all your words. I see all of your actions. And I love you because you are beautiful, made in my own image, an expression of my most intimate love. Do not judge yourself. Do not condemn yourself. Do not reject yourself. Let my love touch the deepest, most hidden corners of your heart and reveal to you your own beauty, a beauty that you have lost sight of, but that will become visible to you again in the light of my mercy. Come, come, let me wipe your tears, and let my mouth come close to your ear and say to you, ‘I love you, I love you, I love you.’ ”Nouwen, Henri J. M.. Show Me the Way: Daily Lenten Readings . The Crossroad Publishing Company. Kindle Edition.

[Clem · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not much to say about this one. This was recommended to me as a devotional for Lent. I’ve never read anything by Nowen before. One of my favorite Christian authors, Catholic Priest Father Ron Rolheiser, quotes him quite often, so I thought it might be worth it to check Nowen out.

To be honest, this was a rather skimpy book, and I was hoping for a bit more bang for my buck for $9.99. This isn’t a slam against the author. I’m sure his other works are probably worth the hype that Rolheiser and others heap on him.

I read two different devotionals for Lent 2022, and this one was quite a bit shorter and didn’t have much of an impact on me as the other one. The Kindle edition had a lot of printing errors as well.

I remember the points and illustrations being somewhat profound, I just thought they were a bit too short. I also can’t honestly remember any of them as I write this about one month later. Each day’s devotion consisted of a page or two along with a prayer. So it was definitely thin. I’ll reserve judgement, though, after reading one of his “bigger” books.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like many of us we love Nouwen's writings and wisdom. I thought it would be fun to spend Lent with him.

This devotional follows the Lenten calendar and each devotional includes a 1-2 page 'message' from Nouwen and concludes with a prayer. It's a good length for a daily practice and like all Nouwen books most days provide thoughts to reflect upon.

A few of Nouwen's books are compilations of other writings. This is one too and unlike some of the others I've read, this one read a bit like a compilation where not everything seemed to fit well together. There are some excellent reflections and some that left me feeling a bit nothing. I especially enjoyed the ones that were extended prayers. This is one feature of Nouwen's writings that I always enjoy because his extended prayers are so full of emotion and passion.

If you like Nouwen's work, you'll enjoy this as a companion for Lent.

[Eline Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I really enjoy the books of Henri Nouwen and highlight passages on almost every page. But this book I found a little more difficult to like.

Maybe it’s because this book wasn’t written as a whole, but is compiled out of the writings of Nouwen that exist.

Maybe it’s because the chapters are small. Perhaps it has something to do that daily devotionals are not quite my kind of read. Most times I seem to miss the depth.

Anyhow there were still a few fragments in this book that were so rich and comforting. While reading I often hoped that the next piece would reveal the deeper layer of that subject. That often didn’t happen.

However this read gave me some lovely insights and refreshing viewpoints on the Lent journey and Easter story.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad.

This is a daily meditation reading during Lent ending in Easter (today). There´s a reading from the Bible then some thoughts about that reading. Subjects range from God Exists to Forgiveness to God is With Us to the Easter passion. Most days the readings were good and thought provoking. However, there were a few days I wondered "what am I reading." This is because the author Nenri Nouwen was a Catholic priest and I am not Catholic. The differences of theology shouldn´t have taken away the major thesis for the day but I got trapped in the miniscule details.

I would have enjoyed this better if it were part of a group discussion.

[Janis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read through Show Me The Way: Readings for Each Day of Lent for my 2018 Lenten devotions. I have been reading Henri Nouwen's books over the past year or so, and he is now one of my favorite Christian authors. I was unsure whether a compilation would be a good choice. However, I liked the topics and the format (Bible verse, reflections by Nouwen, prayer) worked well for daily contemplation.

[JournalsTLY]

Devotions for the Lent season .
Quite gentle readings - most do challenge our inner life and sense of security or insecurity.

“The crisis of our prayer life is that our minds may be filled with ideas of God while our hearts remains far from him”.

“We might even say that only in God does our neighbour become a neighbour rather than an infringement upon our autonomy, and that only in and through God does service become possible “.

[Kim Koi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this as a Lenten devotional. It has a short devotional for each day of lent, from Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday. There were several readings that challenged me, encouraged me, or made me long for Jesus in a deeper way. This will likely be one that I engage again, if not every year.

[Val Plagge · Rating 3 out of 5]

My church read this as a congregational Lent devotion together. Each day's devotion includes a passage from the Bible, some commentary and a prayer. I did enjoy the set up but just couldn't relate to some of the messages that well. I am happy I picked up some new ideas and thinkings here and there but not enough for me to give it more than 3 stars.

[Loreli Cockram · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful guide to walk readers through the Lenten season. Nouwen is, of course, thoughtful, gracious and humble in his reflections, which draws the reader into their own deeper contemplation about Christ and his ultimate sacrifice. Just what I needed to keep me spiritually tuned into Lent for the full 40 days.

[Nathan Perrin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a sin to not like Henri Nouwen's work. You will still go to heaven if you don't like his writings, but the first few decades will be surrounded with people slightly shaking their heads in disapproval every time they see you.

Henri himself doesn't care, but the church universal recognizes that it's not good behavior.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

An oldie but goodie - excellent Lenten Devotional - will use again next year. FYI - downloaded the Kindle version and it had several typos. Wanted a hard copy for myself - so purchased and will use next year.

[Allison P.G. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read better devotionals than this one.

[Tristan Sherwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Lenten reading. These excerpts from Nouwen’s pastoral writings strike that perfect balance of comfort and challenge.

[Steffanie Kamper Culp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my lenten reading 2021 and I loved it

[Ramarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Daily readings for Lent. I got the book about halfway through Lent and I enjoyed what I read…will revisit next year and likely each year for Lenten thoughts and prayers.

[Michael Mccalebb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very thoughtful

This has been one of the most thoughtful and contemplative Lenten devotional I have ever read. Thankful for finding it.