THEOLOGY AND SANITY
AUTHOR: Frank Sheed
I am reading Theology and Sanity by Frank Sheed. Although I need to read it slowly because some parts can be philosophical, it helps me grasp the teachings of the Church. I have learned a lot about the Trinity, about Jesus, creation, and man. It makes me stop and reflect on what Mr. Sheed is explaining. One example of this, "Christ didn't tell the apostles he was God- but he brought them to the point where they would tell Him He was God." Isn't that true?
Linda Kutach June 2021
LOVE IS THE WAY
HOLDING ON TO HOPE IN TROUBLING TIMES
AUTHOR: Bishop Michael Curry (Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
Definitely one of my top ten books! By relating personal life experiences through the lens of his theological training, Bishop Curry provides practical advice and encouragement to live the life that God has called us , to love our neighbors by building on what we do agree about, respecting one another and eventually building a better relationship and outcomes. Bishop Curry's knowledge of biblical texts, philosophical principles, and variety of personal experiences are interwoven in a very readable fashion. After a year of the pandemic, national discord and world crises, the book filled me with hope and confidence that by relying on God I can be an agent for good in the world.
One of my favorite lines:
"We need a revival of relationships, of human relationships across difference-difference of religion, difference of ethnicity, difference of political ideology. And as former secretary of state Madeleine Albright has said,""Instead of conspiring with the like-minded, we need to spend more time learning from those we consider wrong-headed.""
Jackie May July 2021
HIKING THE CAMINO
500 MILES WITH JESUS
AUTHOR: Father Dave Pivonka, T.O.R.
One of my "bucket list" items is to hike The Camino de Santiago, a 500 mile pilgrimage across Spain which culminates at the Cathedral of St. James in Santiago, Spain. Father Dave made this pilgrimage in 2006 as a thanksgiving offering of 10 years of priesthood for Christ.
The stories of his experiences and the spiritual lessons are remarkable and emphasized to me the importance of seeing the moments of God in our interactions with others and with nature. His Camino journey stresses the value of persistence in the face of hardship. The hours of quiet walking allowed Father Dave lots of time for reflection. In those quiet times of communion with God Father Dave was able to discern God's gentle voice of truth.
The book strengthened my resolve that I must take this trip!
* pilgrimages of many various distances and styles are possible on The Camino de Santiago .
Jackie May September 2021