Enlightening - Rated 
This book is good for anyone who is interested in finding out what St Josemaria's thoughts were when carrying out God's work in founding Opus Dei
Excellent - Rated 
This is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are:
"Fight against the softness that makes you lazy and careless in your spiritual life. Remember that it might well be the beginning of tepidity ... and, in the words of the scriptures, God will vomit out the lukewarm."
#325
"When I made you a present of that life of Jesus, I wrote in it this inscription: `May you seek Christ, may you find Christ, may you love Christ. These are three very distinct steps. Have you at least tried to live the first?"
#382
"Fight against that weakness which makes you lazy and careless in your spiritual life. Remember that it might well be the beginning of lukewarmness... and, in the words of the Scripture, God will vomit the lukewarm out of his mouth."
#325
Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.
Difficult reading, inspiring reading, provoking reading. - Rated
Having read about Opus Dei, and Dan Brown's ridiculous depiction of them as some shadowy cult-like organisation, I thought I'd go to the source and see what the founder himself said, what kind of sayings and principles started things off. St Josemaria Escriva's writings aren't put forth here in a form that (as far as I can tell) follows directly one from the other, but as a series of points, grouped together by topic. St Escriva simultaneously challenges, berates, comforts and inspires us.
To give an example:
"You give me the impression that you are carrying your heart in your hands, as if you were offering goods for sale. Who wants it? If it takes no creature's fancy, you will come and give it to God.
Do you think that is how the saints acted?"
Here in one point, St Escrima berates us for taking such things too lightly and, in mentioning the saints, reminds us that it needn't be so. The saints, after all, were as human as us.
Consolement, too, you can find here:
"I was amused to hear you speak of the "account" that our Lord will demand of you. No, for none of you will he be a judge -- in the harsh sense of the word; he will simply be Jesus.' These lines, written by a good bishop, have consoled more than one troubled heart, and could well console yours."
It's not easy reading, but it's refreshing, challenging, nourishing, and invigorating reading. Well worth the small amount of money you spend on it.
|
