Bookshelf

Secrets of the Sacred Heart

Is Jesus in your home? We all know that He is, but when you stop and think, is His image in your home? This question was raised to me in the context of reading a lovely text that I received at Christmas entitled Secrets of the Sacred Heart: Twelve Ways to Claim Jesus’ Promises in Your Life, by Emily Jaminet. When being forced to think about it, I mentally ran through every room in our house. We have crucifixes. We have Marian objects. I don’t have a picture of Jesus. After noting that this needs to be fixed, I read about a process called enthronement. Enthronement is a special act of consecration done by a family or individual who wishes to welcome Jesus into their home (or other dedicated space) as King, Savior,
Brother or Friend (p.11). It involves placing an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in a place of importance to signify the intention of all those present to grow closer to God and to allow him to enlighten their souls with Divine Truth (p. 12). Upon learning this, I felt compelled to make sure that I did this. Who doesn’t want peace in their home? In their place of work? I know I do and am so grateful that a very large statue of the Sacred Heart graces our school stairwell right
by the office. As I further moved my way through the text, I was taught a very simple way to engage the Sacred Heart in my daily life. These are called small prayers of aspiration. Upon passing an image of the Sacred Heart, whisper a small little prayer like “Jesus, I trust in you” or “Jesus, I love you” or “Make my home in your heart”. Starting there can open up a conversation with Jesus. I liken this to when I pass a photo I took of my father that rests on my dresser. He passed away nearly eight years ago, but every time I pass the photo, I talk to him. I can do that same thing with the image of Jesus. Doing so can bring peace to my home and my heart. Who couldn’t use that these days?

When we lack peace, it prevents us from seeing God’s hand, especially in times of struggle and difficulty. Often, fear and anxiety steal our peace and we begin to tremble and worry. Jesus wants to exchange our restless, broken hearts for his heart that is full of peace. (p. 15)

Stories About St. John Paul II: Told by his Close Friends and Co-Workers

There is not too much to say about the book, "About St. John Paul II: From Those Who Knew Him," by Wlodzimierz Redzioch, other than how interesting it is to hear first-hand accounts from people who lived and knew John Paul so well. I found it inspiring and gave me an even greater respect for John Paul II.  

Seeking His Mind

Author: M. Basil Pennington O.C.S.O.

Spirituality : Advanced spirituality (This is my subjective thinking.)

The author of "Seeking His Mind," M. Basil Pennington O.C.S.O., is a Trappist monk and priest who received his pontifical degree when I was 4 years old…and that is a long time ago! This book is for those to whom a fire has been started in their hearts. It is for those who wish to take the next step in their spiritual development.

Basil Pennington is a well-known spiritual leader in the Thomas Merton tradition. He offers the gambit of prayer styles from traditional to centering prayer. In this book, he uses the ancient practice of Lectio Divina as a means of spiritual advancement and illumination.

Lectio Divina is a way of approaching the scriptures and reflecting on them to transform your soul. The author uses 40 different scripture passages and offers reflections that will help facilitate our response to God’s love for us.

Each of the forty scripture quotes is followed by a mini-homily of sorts and finishes with answering the question, “What does this mean to me?” Pennington is not afraid to tackle difficult scripture passages and explore areas that may be a bit tender to us. The book is divided into three sections, Beginnings, Teaching and Healing, and Passion and Resurrection.

Each chapter is short reading and the time spent on them is to be more contemplative than explanatory. As this type of journey doesn’t appeal to everyone, all I can say is that if you experienced the 1% Challenge that the Archdiocese has offered and were  changed and looking for more, this book is it.