Helpful summary of a chapter from Henri Nouwen’s latest book ‘Spiritual Direction’:

[1] ‘In the beginning was the Word… and the Word became flesh’ (John 1). Jesus is God’s Word, and we encounter that word in the poor (Matthew 25). ‘Listening is the core attitude of the person who is open to God’s living and creative Word’ (Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Direction)

[2] We encounter the Word of God in the Scriptures. ‘Lectio Divina’ is the ancient way of reading the scripture meditatively – not to master the Word, nor criticize the Word, but to be mastered by and challenged by the Word…

[3] A third way we encounter the Word of God is through the spoken word (rhema) – born out of silence and solitude…