Product Description

The last book published before Nouwen's death in 1996, Can You Drink the Cup? has been translated into ten languages and sold more than 135,000 copies. Exploring the deep spiritual impact of the question Jesus asked his friends James and John, Nouwen reflects upon the metaphor of the cup, using the images of holding, lifting, and drinking to articulate the basics of the spiritual life.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41879 in Books
• Published on: 2006-08-21
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 123 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781594710995
• Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
• Notes:
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Review
"I loved the book--and needed it." -- Kenneth L. Woodward, Contributing Editor, Newsweek

"Quite simply, a classic." -- Lawrence S. Cunningham, John A. O'Brien Professor of Theology, The University of Notre Dame

Customer Reviews

Another excellent book by Nouwen
Nouwen gives us another excellent look at the spritual life, and how we can live it to the fullest, this time by using the metaphor, of holding, lifting, and drinking the cup, as Christ did in his life, death, and resurrection. We see that in order to truly drink our cups, we must be willing to drink both joy and sorrow, to in effect, drink life to its fullest, "to the dregs," if you will. Nouwen ably uses examples of hospitality and from his life with the mentally disabled at L'arche Daybreak to make his points. Especially poignant is the story of a visit he makes to one resident who has to spend time in a mental institution, and how that resident breaks down barriers to bring joy and hospitality to some rather stuffy people.

What was so wonderful about Henri Nouwen was that God was everywhere for him, in the simple as well as the most complex. His message of hope and love resonnates not only with his core Catholic constituents, but with Protestants like me, and I suspect, with people of other faiths as well. I have yet to read a book of his that hasn't moved me and helped me grow in my faith. This one is no exception. Definitely a keeper and one to be reread!

Can You Drink the Cup?
This was the first book I was required to read for a class I'm currently taking. The best way to describe it is life changing. It is not a book that can be read in one sitting even though it is a relatively short book. It raises so many questions and issues that I will be rereading it again because of how much I probably missed the first time. It speaks of raising the cup which is celebrating life in all of its many joys and sorrows. Looking at the cup which is reflecting on each experience that life brings. Can you drink the cup of life, down to the dregs? I highly recommend this book to everyone in search of purpose of life and the destiny we all have.

Coping with loss, tragedy, randomness in life
One of Nouwen's more autobiograhical books and also one of his last, this quiet meditation on how we deal with the difficult parts of life was very helpful to me as a parent of a child with disability. The descriptions of the L'Arche community sent me to other Nouwen works to learn more about that movement. This is very simply written and positive in its outlook. I would recommend it for an adult discussion group and also for private devotional reading (and re-reading).