CTS Finding God Series
Nick Donnelly
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784695736
eISBN 9781784696665
ASIN B07JWJHW63
CTS Booklet PA55
I need to admit that read this book and writing this review are not easy tasks. I feel that I have struggled with both anger and bitterness for as far back as I can remember. It is not an easy thing to admit, or to start working on. But this little volume by Reverend Nick Donnelly is an excellent starting point. Reverend Donnelly draws from a wide range of sources like J.R.R. Tolkien, Michael O’Brien, Jordan Peterson, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Catechism, the Compendium, numerous saints, christian authors and many others. In this concise volume there are 57 references to source materials and examples.
Contents:
Not All Tears are Evil
Learning the Ways of your Heart
Let Jesus Heal your Heart
Fr Seraphim Rose and the Tears of the Heart
How to Help the Healing of your Heart
While reading this I found myself stopping to pray often. And not just at the end of the chapters where there is a prayer and reflection section specific to that chapter. The book looks clearly at the big difference between anger, and bitterness. It also clearly shows how resentment and bitterness can build up and provide a foothold in our lives. A foothold that the enemy will try and exploit. Donnelly states:
“In coming to understand the heart as the dwelling-place where ‘I am’, we remember that man is a unity of body and soul.13 This means that it is often not possible to distinguish between the physical heart and the spiritual heart, because both interact and influence each other. Anyone who has felt how the joyful ache of love makes his or her physical heart race knows this, or anyone who has experienced how fear for the safety of a loved one contracts the heart in agony, knows that the physical heart and the spiritual heart are inextricably linked.”
And he helps us to see that link. And to be open to following God’s lead. The prayer in the book I have been using daily since reading it is:
“Lord, remove the bitterness of my anger, the despair of my anger. When I am weak and in torment, purify me and strengthen me to resist evil and its pain and influence. Hold me in your heart and wipe away my tears until that day when there will be no more weeping and you will be all in all. Amen.”
There is much I learned while reading this book. This was an excellent read. And one that I really needed. I look forward to reading more in the ‘Finding God Series’. But now I have three different series from CTS on the go.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2019 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.
Books by Nick Donnelly:
Finding God Series:
Finding God in Anger and Bitterness
Finding God in Doubt and Disbelief
Finding God When Prayer Doesn't Work
Finding God When a Loved One Loses Faith
Other Books by Nick Donelly:
Living with Illness and Suffering
Loving Mary: What Pope Francis Says
Finding Forgiveness with Pope Francis
Stations of the Cross with Pope Francis
Who Is the Devil?
Hope and Healing: Living with Illness and Suffering
Prayers for Grieving Parents: Help After a Miscarriage or Still Birth
Praying the Rosary with the Martyrs
Praying The Creed In The Year Of Faith
Praying the Rosary with the Saints
Our Journey to Christmas: With Pope Francis
…
Unattributed books cowritten\ghost written by Nick Donnelly:
Priesthood Today
Fit for Mission? Church
Fit for Mission? Schools
Fit for Mission? Marriage
Fit for Mission? A Guide
...
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