Showing posts with label monasticism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label monasticism. Show all posts

Four Ways of Holiness for the Universal Church: Drawn from the Monastic Tradition (Monastic Wisdom) Review

Four Ways of Holiness for the Universal Church: Drawn from the Monastic Tradition (Monastic Wisdom)
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Four Ways of Holiness for the Universal Church: Drawn from the Monastic Tradition (Monastic Wisdom) ReviewFrancis Kline's book was published in October of 2007 a year after his untimely death. I only know of Francis Kline via a CD of organ music which he recorded in 2003 in the Abbey Church of Mepkin Abbey, South Carolina where he was third abbot of Mepkin Abbey. In addition, I read his book on Monasticism Being Loosed in the Church which was intriguing in its use of metaphor. The present book on 4 ways to holiness is a "must" read for those who want practical exposure on how to become a "living sacrifice" as Paul teaches in the 12th chapter of the Roman letter. Kline draws on his extensive practice of lectio as a Cistercian monk for over 30 years. Each of the chapters (Conversion, Suffering, Desire, and Unity) are soundly based in his reflection upon numerous passages of scripture especially those of the Gospels. The chapter on Suffering is actually an autobiographical essay on Abbot Kline's battle with cancer over a period of several years. This second chapter alone is worth the purchase of the book. Keen insights are given into the struggles of hospital stays and treatments along with trying to maintain his calling as a monk in the midst of it all. His essay on "conversion" (first chapter) is one of a daily conversion of life in the confines of routine work and a daily regimen of prayer lived out in community and in the presence of the God of the Bible. The third chapter investigates "Desire" as a call to give all to God through His Son Jesus as one becomes poured out as a fragrance and offering in service to others. The opening of chapter 5 of the Ephesian letter best describes the substance of the essay on Desire. "Therefore brothers, be imitators of God, as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a sacrifice and fragrant offering to God."
The final essay develops the concept of a Christian's Unity being found, formed and ultimately transformed into the image of the Son of God through the Spirit of Jesus who was sent on Pentecost.
I am surprised there has not already been a review of this short book since its publication in 2007. I would hope that my feeble attempt will flush out others who will write a more scholarly and perhaps indepth review of what I see as an excellent resource for spiritual reading. Four Ways to Holiness for the Universal Church by Francis Kline will definitely be on my "reread" list in the very near future.
Ronald DavisFour Ways of Holiness for the Universal Church: Drawn from the Monastic Tradition (Monastic Wisdom) Overview

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Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer Review

Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer
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Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer ReviewDavid Benner writes "Prayer is living with openness to God. Our life becomes a prayer, and our prayer becomes our life as we begin to live with this openness as the core posture of our hearts" (pg 156).
I wonder how many of us can say that our prayer life is about openness to God. It is so easy to categorize prayer as an 'act' that we start and finish at some point in the day. Some of us have longer times of prayer than others but it is almost always seen as a period of time with a beginning and end. For Benner, this is not enough. Prayer is far more than that. In a winsome way Benner encourages us to look afresh at prayer. The heart of the book (chps 3-8) take us through the 'movements' of Lectio Divina, an ancient form of prayer using scripture, allowing the words of God to penetrate deep into our spirits. But the first two chapters and the introduction are as good an introduction to what is prayer and how we should prepare for prayer than I have ever read. I challenge you to read this book and not come away from it longing not just to pray more but to live a life of prayer. This book is a great addition to the books available on prayer. The only worry is that there are so many books on prayer that this 'gem' might be overlooked. Don't overlook it.
Highly recommended.Opening to God: Lectio Divina and Life as Prayer Overview

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Humble Pie: St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility Review

Humble Pie: St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility
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Humble Pie: St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility ReviewWritten by Carol Bonomo, a Benedictine oblate (a person vowed to live according to the fourth-century Rule) and the award-winning author of "The Abbey Up The Hill," Humble Pie: St. Benedict's Ladder Of Humility is a deeply faithful Christian memoir that critically examines today's "me-first" society that embraces pride and rejects humility, arguably to a destructive degree. Detailing the author's life and experiences in search of sacrifice, pentecost, and learning to open one's heart to God, Humble Pie is an inspirational modern-day presentation of spiritual principles well over a thousand years old. A moving and deeply reverent account and life example.Humble Pie: St. Benedict's Ladder of Humility Overview

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