Showing posts with label catholicism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label catholicism. Show all posts

Gustavo Gutierrez: Spiritual Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters) Review

Gustavo Gutierrez: Spiritual Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters)
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Gustavo Gutierrez: Spiritual Writings (Modern Spiritual Masters) ReviewDaniel Groody, professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame, and colleague of Gutierrez, has managed, in this slim volume, to serve up a tasty buffet of the choicest morsels of Gustavo's writing. And choosing which dishes to include could have only been a daunting task as Gustavo, who turned 83 this year, has been in the kitchen working out these recipes for a long time.
Gustavo Gutierrez: Spiritual Writings is assembled from very recent works including a 2009 Theological Studies article and a forthcoming book, as well as selections from We Drink from Our Own Wells (1983), On Job (1987), The God of Life (1991), his work on Bartolome de Las Casas (1993), The Density of the Present (1996), and the early and formative volume, A Theology of Liberation (1971). The corpus of Gustavo's work represents a lifetime of practice, study, and reflection, from which he has developed a theology of how to be Christian and how to work out the gratuitous love of God which is both a gift and a demand on our lives. Groody's collection is a well done overview and synthesis of Gustavo's thought.
For me, Gutierrez shines brightest when he exegetes Scripture. This collection does not disappoint, including lengthy extracts of Gustavo's work on the Beatitudes, the book of Job, and several other portions of the gospels. His reflections offer a fresh and insightful reading of these passages, prodding the reader to scratch below surface impressions and stretch beyond traditional and usual interpretations to see what scripture might mean from the perspective of those in most need, those for whom the words might have been most intended. These glimpses are tantalizing and draw one back to the original sources to gain a fuller understanding of Gustavo's thought on these scriptures.
The collection contains a section in which Gutierrez commemorates, in brief sketches, the journeys of those who influenced and encouraged him such as Dom Helder Camara and Oscar Romero, and lesser known personalities Sr. Maria Agustina and Vicente Hondarza. Here we are treated to an inside look at the lives of both prominent and ordinary, and see how faithfulness and commitment quietly motivate and sustain through various kinds of suffering and injustice.
The volume concludes with some of Gutierrez' most recent thought on his classic idea of the preferential option for the poor. In part he says, "The preferential option for the poor, if it aims at the promotion of justice, equally implies friendship with the poor and among the poor. Without friendship there is neither authentic solidarity nor a true sharing."
For those familiar with the work of Gustavo Gutierrez, this collection will be a return to the feast of rich ideas and compelling reflection on discipleship and justice. For those new to this pastor and scholar, this volume of insight into the spirituality which has inspired Gustavo's theology will be a perfect introduction and will leave you wanting more.
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God's on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action Review

God's on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action
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God's on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action ReviewRegis Flaherty is a popular author and director of the Gilmary Retreat Center, which offers programs that support Catholic youth, families, and individuals. He has more than 30 years' experience working in Catholic organizations. God's on the Phone: Stories of Grace in Action draws on Flaherty's personal experiences and observations. Each of the thirty short chapters can stand alone, making this a suitable resource for catechists, faith sharing groups, and individuals.
All of the chapters are formatted with a title; brief description of the topic; a story that contains a moral lesson; a quotation from Scripture, Church documents or spiritual writing; a prayer; and personal reflection questions.
A chapter on Lenten sacrifices is about overcoming bad habits and centers around a conversation between Flaherty and his daughter Beverly regarding penance during Lent. Flaherty was inspired by the Holy Spirit to suggest that he and the girl choose a Lenten sacrifice for one another. Flaherty and his wife decided that Beverly's sacrifice could be tied to her predominate fault, grousing when asked to do something. The girl, who had thought of giving up candy or gum, was taken aback, but bought into her dad's idea that when tempted to complain, she thank God for something instead. Further, when Flaherty saw her struggling, he would help her remember by pulling his earlobe. For her part, Beverly proposed that her dad renounce his daily two-liter dose of diet cola, which he relied on to quench his thirst in the Tucson heat, and suspected might help relieve his frequent headaches.
After wrapping up the story and presenting two relevant quotations, Flaherty provides a prayer seeking strength, hope, and perseverance to overcome his weakness for Big Gulps. Three questions and action steps round out the chapter.
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I Am With You Always: A Study of the History and Meaning of Personal Devotion to Jesus Christ for Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians Review

I Am With You Always: A Study of the History and Meaning of Personal Devotion to Jesus Christ for Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians
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I Am With You Always: A Study of the History and Meaning of Personal Devotion to Jesus Christ for Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant Christians ReviewExcellent book. Fr. Groeschel has written a different type of book. Rather than a classic history book Fr. Groeschel covers the devotional life of Christians from Jesus to current times. The book covers the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant views and contains writings representative of each group. Fr. Groeschel shows how the core essence of Christianity has not really changed over the last two thousand years.
I am a graduate student in Theology and most of my courses cover systematic or moral theology. This book is a vastly different approach. It is a study of the devotional life of the Christian people. What better way is there to understand what the ordinary people believe than to study the classic devotional writings of each period? By understanding how the people pray and worship we gain understanding of their beliefs.
The book is long (600) pages but you do not have to read it cover to cover. Fr. Groeschel gives guidance in the introduction on how to approach the book depending on the perspective you bring to the book. The book also is an excellent introduction to many spiritual writers and I was led to investigate writers who I was not familiar with.
This book was given to me for Christmas and I am most appreciative. I will enjoy reading it in the years to come. I highly recommend it. I believe it will become a classic devotional reference work.
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Life is Hard: Machismo, Danger, and the Intimacy of Power in Nicaragua (Centennial Book) Review

Life is Hard: Machismo, Danger, and the Intimacy of Power in Nicaragua (Centennial Book)
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Life is Hard: Machismo, Danger, and the Intimacy of Power in Nicaragua (Centennial Book) ReviewWhen people want to know what everyday life in Nicaragua was like during what Eduardo Galeano has called "the time of beautiful madness," they invariably turn to Lancaster's book. Life is Hard gives an up-close, personal, and often poignant accounting of the experiences of three working-class families during the Sandinista period. But this accessible, engaging book is also more than a classic ethnography. The latter chapters (whose theoretical arguments ineluctably flow from the more descriptive chapters) provide a highly readable short course on much of what is most exciting in twentieth century cultural theory: semiotics, deconstruction, neomarxism, and the origins of queer theory.
Over the course of the book, the author takes the reader through various vignettes, life stories, and analyses. At the same time, Lancaster reveals different facets of himself, in context-appropriate passages: socialist, Southern working-class origins, white, gay... The result is an implicit argument about how complex, compound, and contingent identities are. The result is also that alert readers get a very good sense of how the author's experiences shaped his research questions- and how they affected his interactions with Nicaraguan informants spanning a broad social gamut: single mothers, soldiers, adolescent boys and girls, "macho" men, and a number of gay men (clearly quoted, sometimes at length, in the chapter on same-sex relations).
Lancaster's overarching analysis is complex. In a feminist vein, he argues that the Sandinista revolution failed, in part, because its leadership failed to undertake an effective renovation of gender relations and family life. In a gay studies vein, the author shows how the everyday stigmatization of male same-sex relations regulates and supports conceptions of "appropriate" manhood (nobody wants to be called a "queer"!)-- and how, in no small part, it was this quotidian homophobia that undermined Sandinista efforts at changing family life.
The nuanced picture Lancaster draws of family life in a culture of machismo, and the innovative analysis he develops of how same-sex relations function in that culture, have been corroborated by a host of scholars working in different fields: Tomas Almaguer, Ana Alonso, Annick Prieuer, Don Kulick, David Whisnant, Richard Parker, and many others. With good reason, this important book received both the Society for the Study of Social Problems' C. Wright Mills Award, and the Society of Lesbian and Gay Anthropologists' Ruth Benedict Prize. I should add: this book has been used in several undergraduate and graduate courses I've taken. Invariably, students vote this the best-realized ethnography in the class.Life is Hard: Machismo, Danger, and the Intimacy of Power in Nicaragua (Centennial Book) Overview

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The Philokalia, Volume 4: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain & St. Markarios of Corinth Review

The Philokalia, Volume 4: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Markarios of Corinth
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The Philokalia, Volume 4: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain & St. Markarios of Corinth ReviewThe four volumes of the Philokalia represent the Essence of Christian spirituality from those who expereinced it firsthand. As the Church became embraced by the Empire in the 4th century, monastics, following the example of St Anthony, withdrew to the deserts of Egypt and Palestine. The Philokalia is the uncompromising witness to the experience of the desert - and the heart that finds God in the silence of prayer and repentance. The four volumes now in print should be read by every Christian - Orthodox, Roman Catholic and Protestant - if they are truly interested in their salvation and eternal life! And the path they prescribe is one that can be lived today - though not without struggle - even as we enter the 21st century.The Philokalia, Volume 4: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain & St. Markarios of Corinth Overview

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God Is Love: Deus Caritas Est Review

God Is Love: Deus Caritas Est
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God Is Love: Deus Caritas Est ReviewI am shocked, absolutely shocked, that no one has reviewed Pope Benedict XVI's first papal encyclical, "God Is Love". At the very least you would expect a Catholic or two to show up and say a few words about the supreme pontiff's elegant treatise on the transformative power of God's love. It's been nearly eight months since the Vatican released it! Where are the reviews? Sad, sad, sad. Well, I'll write a review for Benedict's epistle even though I'm not a Catholic. Nor am I a Jew, a Muslim, a Buddhist, or a Protestant. I'm just an agnostic, albeit one who holds sympathies for the Catholic Church, with a bachelor's degree in religious studies (degrees in history too, but that doesn't count here). I decided to read "Deus Caritas Est" (the Latin title) when I realized I have never read a papal encyclical. They serve several important purposes within the Catholic Church. One, encyclicals tend to lay the groundwork for a pope's legacy. Two, they attempt to offer answers to serious temporal problems facing Catholics around the world. Three, they explain certain policy decisions taken by the leadership. Four, and lastly, encyclicals often clarify hazy doctrinal issues that arise from time to time.
Benedict divides "God Is Love" into two parts. The first, and most difficult, section involves a theoretical discussion on the various aspects of love. According to the pontiff, there is two of major importance. The first, eros, is a grand, soaring love that has little to do with giving of oneself. Agape, the second form of love, is more contemplative and grounded, a love that is more concerned with giving than receiving. Both forms of love are healthy and good in and of themselves, but Benedict admonishes the modern tendency to embrace eros as it pertains to bodily pleasures. Love without the spiritual component found in Christianity, the pope argues, is an empty love that causes more harm than good. Only when we realize that eros and agape go together, that they are two sides of the same coin, do we understand the depth and greatness of God's love. He also contends that it is through God that both loves become united for the benefit of mankind. Benedict cites a number of sources--Virgil's Eclogues, Nietzsche, the Old Testament, and the Gospels among them--in his examination of the various aspects and definitions of love. It's pretty obvious the new pope is quite the theologian.
After the tough slog through the first part of the encyclical (Benedict himself admits it is a difficult trek), the second part feels like a piece of cake. This section discusses how Catholic charities must channel God's love to help ease humanity's sufferings. There's some standard stuff in here one would expect from the head of the Catholic Church--love thy neighbor, don't puff up with pride or feel superior because you help the needy, and admonitions to stay the course in an increasingly dark and dangerous world. Good and true, such advice. Benedict goes further, however, by urging Catholic charities to retain their religious character, to avoid Marxist cant about foregoing charity in favor of a nebulous social justice down the road. He also points out that Catholic organizations should watch out lest they become part of the state and the political process (read: shun secularization). "Deus Caritas Est" concludes with a very short examination of saints and charity. He cites Martin of Tours, Francis of Assisi, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Mary, and others as examples of how love and charity should work in the earthly realm. Also included in an appendix is an introduction Benedict wrote for the edition of the encyclical published in Famiglia Cristiana.
I remember back when Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger became Pope Benedict XVI. The media went nuts over his selection. They blasted him for being a conservative, and there were many dark insinuations that this pope would attempt to take the Catholic Church back to the Middle Ages. His association with a certain youth association in Germany at the end of World War II hinted at something far bleaker, although anyone with half a brain understood that membership in this group was mandatory and meant nothing about this man's character. It was just another smear tactic employed by liberals angry over the Church's refusal to ordain female priests and its failure to get with the program and endorse abortion. After reading this encyclical, though, I'm starting to wonder about this pope's conservative credentials. I was hoping for a vigorous attack on the alienation inherent in modernity, or at least the very least secular liberalism and its manifold evils. No such luck. He touches on a few of the destructive behaviors in the present day, such as drugs and loose morals, but not in any substantive detail. Perhaps his next encyclical will deal with these issues in greater depth.
I usually reserve a final paragraph in my reviews for criticism of the product. How the heck can I do that here? I'm reading something written by THE POPE! Not only that, he's a pope who is a noted theologian. Who am I to criticize his use of source material or pick apart his arguments? I leave it to better men than I, ones with a Ph.D. in theology, to critique the whole agape versus eros theory proposed by the pontiff. I will offer up one slight suggestion that might have made the first part of the encyclical easier to read. It seems to me that I might understand his arguments better had he defined the terms eros and agape much earlier in the text. The epistle just launches into the theory without defining the concepts until several pages later. Who knows how this happened? Maybe translation problems are to blame. It's a small point, I know, but that's all I'm going to say in the negative. In the positive, "God Is Love" is an inspirational read even for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.
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Saintly Men of Modern Times Review

Saintly Men of Modern Times
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Saintly Men of Modern Times ReviewThe Catholic Church offers many blessings, the sacrements being one of the most significant. But coupled along with that are the global children of the Church and the vast shining examples of good that they not only represent but advocate. Over the past few years, the Catholic Church has had to acknowledge its serious shortcomings in relation to the horrific sex scandal, among other things. The hierarchy was looked upon-and unfortunately to a certain degree still is-with scorn and jaded cynicism, and any chance of genuine rectification seemed almost impossible. It appeared to be an institution that was floundering in a sea of mistrust and anger, and rightfully so, especially in fully comprehending what happened to the victims. Along with the religious was the devout laity who took the helm and helped to usher in a deeper understanding of not humanism, per se, but of the true, palpable manifestation of faith and of the Divine gift that it really was and is. They, the laity and religious did not say that the doctrine of the Church was unsound and unstable, but rather, it was the varied manipulative and disordered practitioners of the dogma(s) that were. It was the foreknowledge and secretiveness that only added fuel to the fire. So much turmoil and havoc on so many. Hence, it was a real joy to read Saintly Men of Modern Times by Joan Cruz Carroll, because in this biographical work she illustrates the vital importance played by lay Catholics and how their holy essence of living out the Gospel has redefined, refined and added to the totality of the Catholic Church. When one thinks of sainthood, one normally thinks of that honor being afforded only to mystics, monks, priests and nuns and so forth. Yet, Pope John Paul II changed all that, and Carroll's book details in picturesque detail the lives of these men who had or are on their way to affording the honor of the alter. And some of the examples are quite startling: a former alcoholic (Matt Talbot), a former satanic priest (Bartolo Long) to medical doctors (Joseph Moscati and Ladislaus Batthyany-Strattmann) or just everyday holy blue-collar joes (Franz Jagerstatter and Dominic Cesari). A reader will be able to identify with any number of examples profiled in this book, and therein is where the beauty lies, in the underlying truth of the beauty of confession, the Holy Eucharist, the Mass, the rosary, et cetera. These men, married, single, martyred, lived out their baptism in the truest sense of the word, making the universal call to holiness an integral part of their identity. Men to stand with priests.Saintly Men of Modern Times Overview

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Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness Review

Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness
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Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness ReviewYou can tell from reading this book that the author is gentle and sincere, and that his life reflects the values and insights he shares here. I first read this book around 1994, and it is the most dog-eared of my books. I have almost the whole thing underlined. By refusing to get bogged down in theoretical disputes or definitions, and instead focusing on the bone of the Christian experience (love, hope, and faith), Brother David has given us a book filled with the Holy Spirit. His exploration of the spiritual significance of being open to life's little surprises is a big surprise (I've never heard that mentioned as a Christian value before), and one which points to a spiritual life in alert response to God's constant lovingkindness. There is no doctrine or dogma here, which is why I think it will endure...and also why I keep coming back to it myself.Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness Overview

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Introduction to Christianity Review

Introduction to Christianity
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Introduction to Christianity ReviewHigh quality work presented at a level that anyone can understand and be very interested in. Intended as a serious, academic introduction to the history of Christianity, this book would be beneficial to all who read it with an eye towards historical issues / development, etc.Introduction to Christianity Overview

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Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body Review

Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body
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Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body ReviewI've read other works on John Paul II's theology of the body before, but what set apart "Called to Love" for me was the authors' interweaving of the pope's other literature, as well -- specifically, his poetry and plays. I must say I came away with an even greater appreciation for the late pope and his committment to marriage, families and upholding the dignity of the human person. Clearly, he was steeped in this love.
I think "Called to Love" achieves a nice balance between giving the layman a thorough -- but accessible -- introduction to JPII's teachings on love and human sexuality, and providing a "where do we go from here" approach for those already familiar with theology of the body and want to bring that message of faith-filled love to society. I'd definitely recommend it.Called to Love: Approaching John Paul II's Theology of the Body Overview

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Great Christian Thinkers: From the Early Church Through the Middle Ages Review

Great Christian Thinkers: From the Early Church Through the Middle Ages
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Great Christian Thinkers: From the Early Church Through the Middle Ages ReviewJesus said, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them" (Luke 6.32). He then goes on to tell his followers to do good to evildoers. It is hard to see things with new eyes and respond out of new hearts. By doing good to the wicked, the faithful begin to see evil as an opportunity to love. That which was once considered your enemy enables you to reflect the Savior.
In a way, that's why I choose to read this book. As a decidedly Reformed and Baptist Christian, it may seem an oxymoron to read anything by a Catholic (especially the Pope!) for a reason other than providing fodder for critique. Yet, I have become concerned by the myopia of many within my circles and have decided to not be that way. I have much to learn from brothers in every area of Christendom. Granted, there may be much disagreement. Disagreement provides an opportunity to develop discernment - a rare commodity among people today.
Pope Benedict XVI first provided these seventy sketches are part of addresses given in Saint Peter's Square. He introduces readers to important believers from the earliest days of the church (Clement) to Julian of Norwich in the mid-to-late 14th century. Each entry is short, accessible and provides a distinctively Catholic view of these ancient saints.
Benedict also includes short personal reflection in each study. This is a great addition, I think. History is often devoid of reflection. It is a disconnected past full of strange people who dressed weird. Instead, history is living and it calls like to us like lady wisdom (Prov 8) to learn from their folly and success. It is appropriate (I would even say necessary) for Christians to study history and reflect personally on the events, people and ideas which have come down to us. Hebrews 13.7 says,
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Works such as this provide us with the opportunity and model of considering the outcome of the lives of these men and women and imitating their faith.
There are certainly things which Benedict promotes which I disagree. Pilgrimages and prayers to these saints do not confer upon me grace. Grace comes through and from Christ. He is the mediator, not deceased saints of God. But, like I said, texts such as these provide an exercise in discernment. There is much to learn here, even if I disagree with some things.
NOTE: In accordance with the regulations of the Federal Trade Commission I would like to state that I received a complementary copy of the aforementioned text for the purposes of review. I was not required to furnish a positive reviewGreat Christian Thinkers: From the Early Church Through the Middle Ages Overview

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U Got 2 Believe Review

U Got 2 Believe
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U Got 2 Believe ReviewIf you've ever heard Fr. Stan preach and sing, you'll know how dynamic he is. This book is in the true Fr. Stan style - down to earth, funny, no nonsense, right to the point. He's a great teacher of Catholic doctrine and a great student of Pope John Paul II. There are many references to the Catholic Catechism and the Bible so it's good to have them handy when reading this book. Although this book is geared towards young adults (teens, early 20's, etc...), everyone can benefit and learn from it. There are no grey areas when it comes to this grey friar. Everything is in black and white. You definitely know Fr. Stan's position on various subjects and it's in line with the teachings of the Pope and the Church. And that's what I've always liked about Fr. Stan. He tells it like it is, whether you like it or not. Sometimes the truth is hard to take. But in the end, it makes us stronger. Fr. Stan is a great teacher and preacher (and now writer) of the truth. Check out this book. It will open your eyes and invigorate your spirit!!!U Got 2 Believe Overview

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Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood Review

Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood
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Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood ReviewFr. Acklin's book shows both the weaknesses and strengths which priests today experience. He speaks at length about contemporary challenges such as the abuse crisis, but more than that, his focus is on those things which enrich priestly life. He speaks of the challenge and gift of celibacy, the need for prayer and other similar themes. This is a book which takes a sober and realistic look at how challenging yet joyful a priest's life can be, and it gives great hope for the future of the Church.Unchanging Heart of the Priesthood Overview

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Can You Drink the Cup?: Review

Can You Drink the Cup:
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Can You Drink the Cup: ReviewNouwen 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: Overview

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Things Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality Review

Things Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality
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Things Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality ReviewToward the end of his marvelous Things Hidden, Richard Rohr tells an equally marvelous story. Parents bring home a newly-born baby. Their 4-year-old daughter insists on speaking to her new sibling--alone, she insists. The amused parents leave, but stand at the doorway for easy eavesdropping. Their daughter gets close to the infant and urgently whispers: "Quick! Tell me where we came from and why we're here. I'm beginning to forget!"
This little parable is a nice encapsulation of what Rohr has to say about the spirit of scripture. For Rohr, following Rene Girard (whose influence, along with Nouwen's, is all over this book), the bible is a "text in travail," a fluid, living document that is often times messy and meandering, taking one step forward and two steps back. That's why it's important, insists Rohr, to be clear about the bible's trajectory and momentum, so that we won't get lost down a sidetrack and take the inessential as vital (the fundamentalist failing). The trajectory is the working out of the human recognition of God as a loving, nurturing parent who exhibits mercy, grace, faithfulness, forgiveness, and steadfast love; of recognition of ourselves as originally blessed, made in the image of a loving God and hence intrinsically lovable ourselves; and recognition that the bible encourages awakening, remembering, rather than accomplishing. (It's fascinating to reflect on the fact that the Greek word for truth used in the New Testament--aletheia--can be translated as "unforgetting.")
Readers familiar with Rohr's work won't necessarily find a great deal to surprise them in this lovely and wise book. But readers new to Rohr, as well as those (like myself) who have read and profited from him for years, will appreciate the insight and grace with which he puts scripture in a context that moves away from uninspired literalism on the one hand or academic textual crunching on the other. If spiritual knowing (cognition) is really, as Rohr argues, a re-cognition, an unforgetting of the soul, this book is as good a memory-jogger as one is likely to find.Things Hidden: Scripture As Spirituality Overview

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The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day Review

The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day
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The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day ReviewI love this book! I grew up in a Catholic family and in Catholic schools. However, that did not prepare me for passing along Catholic traditions to my own children and to my converted husband. The fear of offending anyone(especially my non-Catholic relatives) made me a little hesitant to "let religious identity permeate our home". Gould's book encourages and instructs on how to do so. She has specific ideas, traditions, and even recipes for living a richer life within the Church.The Catholic Home: Celebrations and Traditions for Holidays, Feast Days, and Every Day Overview

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The Conversion Experience: A Reflective Process for RCIA Participants and Others Review

The Conversion Experience: A Reflective Process for RCIA Participants and Others
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The Conversion Experience: A Reflective Process for RCIA Participants and Others ReviewIf you are either considering God's call to conversion to the Catholic church or you are a Catholic considering being a sponsor or helping a friend, you should read this book. it goes into more detail of the different processes that Parishes may use.The Conversion Experience: A Reflective Process for RCIA Participants and Others Overview

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