I love the process of re-engaging great writers who I have read previously but have allowed dust to collect on their work. While I’ll generally recall where the writer is taking me, I knowingly anticipate the joy that awaits in the unfolding story. Henry Nouwen is one such writer. I love his reflection on The Beatitudes, where he sees Jesus telling us to be like him in the world, reflecting his light and love, and not being a reflection of the world’s ways. “This self-portrait of Jesus at first might seem to be a most unappealing portrait; who wants to be poor, mourning, and persecuted? Who can be truly gentle, merciful, pure in heart, a peacemaker, and always concerned about justice? Where is the realism here? Don’t we have to survive in this world and use the ways of the world to do so? Jesus shows how to be in the world without being of it. When we model our lives on his, a new world will open up for us. The Kingdom of Heaven will be ours, and the Earth will be our inheritance. We will be comforted and have our fill; mercy will be shown to us. Yes, we will be recognized as God’s children and truly see God, not just in an afterlife, but here and now (see Matthew 5:3-10). That is the reward of modeling our lives on the life of Jesus.” Amen, amen!