Books for Lent
The Godzdogz team recommend the following spiritual reading for Lent
The Praktikos and Chapters on Prayer by Evagrius Ponticus
The writings of this 4th-century monk and desert father, who was ordained a deacon, seems appropriate for Lent. Evagrius’ works on monastic spirituality and asceticism are deeply influential. For example, Evagrius speaks of the eight passionate thoughts, which are then taken on by Cassian and, as the seven deadly sins, they become a feature of Catholic spirituality. It seemed to me a worthwhile exercise to draw from his wisdom during Lent, which applies to all Christians, and not just monks and religious. For example, he says: “If you know how to practice patience you shall ever pray with joy”.
Praying with Confidence by Paul Murray OP
St Thomas was not just a great speculative theologian. This book which draws together the most important reflections of St Thomas on the Lord’s Prayer shows him also to be an impressive master and guide in the spiritual life.
Counsels of Discernment (also called Table Talks of Instruction) by Meister Eckhart
Eckhart explains how to get established and make progress in the spiritual life. He speaks about surrendering ourselves to God, living in the Divine Presence, trusting in the providence and will of God, cultivating spiritual childhood – and more besides, and all in less than 50 pages.
(Available in various collections including Meister Eckhart: the Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defence edited by Edmund Colledge and Bernard McGinn, and in Meister Eckhart: Selected Writings translated by Oliver Davies)
The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God: The Story of Ruth Pakaluk, Convert, Mother and Pro-Life Activist edited by Michael Pakaluk (Ignatius Press, 2011)
In the autumn of 1980 Ruth and Michael Pakaluk knocked on the door of the University Chaplaincy in Edinburgh and asked to be received into the Church. Back in Massachusetts with a growing family and Michael lecturing in philosophy, Ruth became one of the best-known speakers on pro-life issues. Her unshakeable faith, and down to earth spirituality, make her ‘ordinary’ life story inspiring and encouraging. The tragedy of losing a child as well as Ruth’s death from cancer at the age of 41 explain ‘appalling strangeness’ but these events served only to strengthen Ruth’s faith in God’s mercy.
The writings of this 4th-century monk and desert father, who was ordained a deacon, seems appropriate for Lent. Evagrius’ works on monastic spirituality and asceticism are deeply influential. For example, Evagrius speaks of the eight passionate thoughts, which are then taken on by Cassian and, as the seven deadly sins, they become a feature of Catholic spirituality. It seemed to me a worthwhile exercise to draw from his wisdom during Lent, which applies to all Christians, and not just monks and religious. For example, he says: “If you know how to practice patience you shall ever pray with joy”.
Praying with Confidence by Paul Murray OP
St Thomas was not just a great speculative theologian. This book which draws together the most important reflections of St Thomas on the Lord’s Prayer shows him also to be an impressive master and guide in the spiritual life.
Counsels of Discernment (also called Table Talks of Instruction) by Meister Eckhart
Eckhart explains how to get established and make progress in the spiritual life. He speaks about surrendering ourselves to God, living in the Divine Presence, trusting in the providence and will of God, cultivating spiritual childhood – and more besides, and all in less than 50 pages.
(Available in various collections including Meister Eckhart: the Essential Sermons, Commentaries, Treatises and Defence edited by Edmund Colledge and Bernard McGinn, and in Meister Eckhart: Selected Writings translated by Oliver Davies)
The Appalling Strangeness of the Mercy of God: The Story of Ruth Pakaluk, Convert, Mother and Pro-Life Activist edited by Michael Pakaluk (Ignatius Press, 2011)
In the autumn of 1980 Ruth and Michael Pakaluk knocked on the door of the University Chaplaincy in Edinburgh and asked to be received into the Church. Back in Massachusetts with a growing family and Michael lecturing in philosophy, Ruth became one of the best-known speakers on pro-life issues. Her unshakeable faith, and down to earth spirituality, make her ‘ordinary’ life story inspiring and encouraging. The tragedy of losing a child as well as Ruth’s death from cancer at the age of 41 explain ‘appalling strangeness’ but these events served only to strengthen Ruth’s faith in God’s mercy.
The Signs of the New Covenant by A.-G. Martimort
An inspiring read, this exploration of the Sacraments provides much food for thought on the signs by which the Church in all ages participates both in Christ’s Paschal Mystery and in its final consummation. Not your typical spiritual reading, perhaps, but very apt for Lent, as we prepare ourselves (alongside those approaching the Sacraments for the first time at Easter) to celebrate the central mystery of our faith.
Pseudo-Macarius: The Fifty Spiritual Homilies edited by George A. Maloney S.J.
The fifty spiritual homilies have been traditionally attributed to Marcarius the Egyptian but their author has not, as of yet, been identified. Writing to ascetics in Syria, the author evokes numerous evocative and colourful images to present what he considers the three main stages of the Christian life: The life of evil; the spiritual struggle; and the casting out of sin. This basic structure helps one to reflect not only upon one’s own faith journey but on Salvation History as a whole. The author’s striking unified anthropology is firmly holistic and his rejection of dualism gives the work a fresh and relevant feeling.
An inspiring read, this exploration of the Sacraments provides much food for thought on the signs by which the Church in all ages participates both in Christ’s Paschal Mystery and in its final consummation. Not your typical spiritual reading, perhaps, but very apt for Lent, as we prepare ourselves (alongside those approaching the Sacraments for the first time at Easter) to celebrate the central mystery of our faith.
Pseudo-Macarius: The Fifty Spiritual Homilies edited by George A. Maloney S.J.
The fifty spiritual homilies have been traditionally attributed to Marcarius the Egyptian but their author has not, as of yet, been identified. Writing to ascetics in Syria, the author evokes numerous evocative and colourful images to present what he considers the three main stages of the Christian life: The life of evil; the spiritual struggle; and the casting out of sin. This basic structure helps one to reflect not only upon one’s own faith journey but on Salvation History as a whole. The author’s striking unified anthropology is firmly holistic and his rejection of dualism gives the work a fresh and relevant feeling.
