As the noise of the holiday season rises, how can we recover the stillness, peace, and joy at the heart of Advent? In this deeply moving episode of Now & Then, host Wendy VanderWal Martin welcomes pastor and author Rich Villodas to explore his new devotional, Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal.

Rich shares how the rhythms of the church calendar have reoriented his life and ministry in New York City — “the city that never sleeps” — toward waiting, peacemaking, rejoicing, and beholding. Together, Wendy and Rich reflect on how these ancient Advent themes offer an antidote to our culture’s frenzy and distraction, inviting us into a slower, more attentive way of being with God.

Listeners will be drawn into stories of how prayer sustains community, how true peace begins within, and how joy and lament can coexist in the same heart. Rich also opens up about the lasting influence of Henri Nouwen — his honesty, vulnerability, and insistence that we are all the beloved of God.

Whether you’re longing to rediscover the sacred meaning of Advent or simply seeking renewal in a weary world, this conversation offers a compassionate and contemplative guide to centering your life on Christ amid the clamor of December.

“Waiting is not despair — it’s dependence.” — Rich Villodas

Listen now to be inspired, refreshed, and reminded that even in a restless world, the invitation to behold beauty and live as God’s beloved still stands.

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Resources:

https://www.richvillodas.com/

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/776021/waiting-for-jesus-by-rich-villodas/9780593602607

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In this insightful episode of Henri's Bookshelf, host Wendy VanderWal Martin is joined by her daughter Renate Carson to dive deep into Henri Nouwen's powerful work Peacework. The episode explores how Nouwen’s teachings on peacemaking—rooted in prayer, resistance, and community—remain relevant in today's divided world. Renate, a theology and culture student at St. Stephen University, shares her personal journey of connecting with Henri's ideas and how they resonate with her generation's search for meaning in a fractured society.

From her own reflections on peacemaking, including the role of prayer in daily life and how small acts of hospitality, like cooking with intention, can affirm life and resist harmful systems, Renate brings a fresh perspective to the timeless wisdom of Henri Nouwen. The conversation also touches on the complexities of interfaith relationships, especially in a time of polarization, and how living out one's vocation as a peacemaker requires both courage and humility.

This episode challenges listeners to rethink what it means to be a peacemaker in a world that often feels increasingly divided. Henri’s call to "move out of the house of fear toward the house of love" is a message that resonates now more than ever. Whether you're familiar with Henri Nouwen’s work or encountering it for the first time, this episode will inspire you to consider how prayer, resistance, and community can shape your own path to peace.

Tune in to discover how simple yet profound actions can contribute to a world of healing and reconciliation.

Check out St. Stephen's University: https://www.ssu.ca/

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Book Discussed:

Peacework

https://amzn.to/3hGh1w2 (US)

https://amzn.to/2zHjnd3 (Canada)

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Bruce’s guest today is Stacey Campbell. Stacey serves as the President & CEO of Prison Fellowship Canada, a national ministry organization that prepares and mobilizes the Church community in response to the issue of crime and the restoration of offenders. Stacey and HNS ED Bruce Adema discuss Henri Nouwen’s letter that talks about power. How do spiritual power and worldly power manifest themselves? How do they get corrupted, and how can they be restored? It’s easy to become cynical, but we are called to a better way.

Prison Fellowship Canada

https://prisonfellowship.ca/

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Book Discussed:

Love, Henri

https://amzn.to/3fpnolF (US)

https://amzn.to/2C2lqcD (Canada)

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Bruce’s guest today is Father Dr. Ron Rolheiser. Father Ron is a Roman Catholic priest and a member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He’s a community builder, lecturer and writer. He now serves on the faculty of the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonia Texas, where was President for 15 years. Ron speaks with HNS ED Bruce Adema about a letter of Henri Nouwen in which he reflects on his own near-death experience, and how it affected him.

Oblate School of Theology

https://ost.edu/

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Book Discussed:

Love, Henri

https://amzn.to/3fpnolF (US)

https://amzn.to/2C2lqcD (Canada)

With Open Hands

https://amzn.to/2UMpR1G (US)

https://amzn.to/2XUtSTw (Canada)

Reaching Out

https://amzn.to/37BuyjZ (US)

https://amzn.to/2AxxCBJ (Canada)

Beyond the Mirror

https://amzn.to/3fAkDhv (US)

https://amzn.to/30RUHcV (Canada)

Book: The Structure of Waiting (Vanstone) -

https://www.amazon.ca/?ref_=cb_interstitial_us_ca_desktop_unrec_location_unk_dp_gw

Book: A Severe Mercy (Vanauken) - https://www.amazon.ca/Severe-Mercy-Sheldon-Vanauken/dp/0060688246

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Welcome to Henri’s Bookshelf, a podcast brought to you by the Henri Nouwen Society — where timeless words spark fresh conversations.

In this episode, host Dr. Wendy VanderWal Martin is joined by Rev. Dr. Kyle Norman for a rich and reflective dive into one of Henri Nouwen’s most enduring works: Reaching Out. Together, they explore Nouwen’s spiritual vision of the inner journey — from loneliness to solitude, hostility to hospitality, and illusion to prayer.

Whether you're a longtime reader of Nouwen or discovering his wisdom for the first time, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and reach out — to God, to others, and to your own heart.

Let’s open the book… and begin the journey.

Check out the 2025 Week 4 Adult 19+: The Spirituality of Henri Nouwen: 4 ways to live as God's beloved With Ver. Rev. Dr. Kyle Norman Here:

https://sorrento-centre.secure.retreat.guru/program/2025-week-4-the-spirituality-of-henri-nouwen-4-ways-to-live-as-gods-beloved-copy/

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Book Discussed:

Reaching Out

https://amzn.to/37BuyjZ (US)

https://amzn.to/2AxxCBJ (Canada)

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Bruce’s guest today is Dr. Adriana Bara, the National Director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, which works in the Middle East, northeast Africa, India, and Eastern Europe. She speaks with HNS ED Bruce Adema about Henri Nouwen’s 1991 letter to Sister Marcia Hobart, an Anchoress who had written to Henri about the Persian Gulf War that was happening at the time. Considering what’s happening in the world today, this is a very relevant topic.

Catholic Near East Welfare Association Website

https://cnewa.org/

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Book Discussed:

Love, Henri

https://amzn.to/3fpnolF (US)

https://amzn.to/2C2lqcD (Canada)

Ukraine Diary

https://amzn.to/3LpMHGO (US)

https://amzn.to/3ogjyFi (Canada)

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Bruce’s guest today is Dr. Luther E. Smith Jr. Luther is Professor Emeritus of Church and Community, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, and is the author and editor of influential books on Howard Thurman, Christian community, and spiritual practices. Luther and Henri Nouwen Society ED Bruce Adema discuss a letter Henri Nouwen wrote to his friend Sue Mosteller about his concerns, even apprehensions about the future. This topic will surely resonate with everyone, and provide encouragement.

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Book Discussed:

Love, Henri

https://amzn.to/3fpnolF (US)

https://amzn.to/2C2lqcD (Canada)

The Wounded Healer

https://amzn.to/2AGOrKz (US)

https://amzn.to/3hdDkcr (Canada)

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Many of Henri Nouwen's deep spiritual insights arose from experiences of anguish. In the Inner Voice of Love, Nouwen penned spiritual imperatives for himself during the most difficult period of his life. Meant to be a deeply personal journal, friends encouraged him to offer it as a gift of consolation for those who live through the pain of broken relationships and immense loss.

In this podcast conversation, Wendy speaks with Diane Marshall, a retired therapist, who was an intimate friend of Henri's. Diane and Henri shared each others' burdens during painful times, and their friendship birthed new hope.

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Book Discussed:

The Inner Voice of Love

https://amzn.to/3fq4CKN (US)

https://amzn.to/37kJJOm (Canada)

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Bruce’s guest today is Sharon Ramsay. Sharon has worked as a registered psychotherapist and registered marriage and family therapist, helping individuals journey through unexpected experiences in different seasons of life. She also is a board member of the Henri Nouwen Society! Sharon and HNS ED Bruce Adema discuss Henri Nouwen’s letter written to a Free Methodist Church gathering, and the letter echoes themes found in his book “The Wounded Healer.” In weakness there is strength, in woundedness there is healing, and in the gospel there is hope.

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Book Discussed:

Love, Henri

https://amzn.to/3fpnolF (US)

https://amzn.to/2C2lqcD (Canada)

The Wounded Healer

https://amzn.to/2AGOrKz (US)

https://amzn.to/3hdDkcr (Canada)

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SUPPORT THIS PODCAST: henrinouwen.org/donate/

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Bruce’s guest is Rev. Dr. Sam Lee. Sam is a co-lead pastor at Spring Garden, Baptist Church in Toronto. He has over 15 years of ministry experience with children and youth ministry. His dissertation focused on central role of spiritual identity in youth, integrating Henry Nouwen’s book, The Life of the Beloved. Sam and HNS ED Bruce Adema discuss one of Henri Nouwen’s letters that talks about the value of Church to those that are “spiritual but not religious.” Does the Church matter any more?

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Book Discussed:

Love, Henri

https://amzn.to/3fpnolF (US)

https://amzn.to/2C2lqcD (Canada)

The Life of the Beloved

https://amzn.to/2Y22R0H (US)

https://amzn.to/2MQX73m (Canada)

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