Book Reviews and More: CTSYearOfMercy

A Year with the Bible: 365 Daily Reflections

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Books by Henry Wansbrough OSB:

CTS Books:

36 Days & 36 Ways Daily Meditations from Advent to the Epiphany Year B

40 Days and 40 Ways Daily Meditations for Lent Year A

40 Days and 40 Ways Daily Meditations for Lent Year B

40 Days and 40 Ways Daily Meditations for Lent Year C

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: The Year of Mercy

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: Year A

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: Year B

Companion to the Sunday Gospels: Year C

Jesus: The Real Evidence

The Acts of the Apostles (Translator)

The CTS New Catholic Bible (Editor)

The Gospel According to John (Introduction)

The Gospel According to Luke (Introduction)

The Gospel According to Luke: Gospel for the Year of Mercy (Introduction)

The Gospel According to Mark (Introduction)

The Gospel According to Matthew (Introduction)

The Psalms (Introduction)

The Letters of Paul (Introduction)

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Books in the CTS Scriptures Series:

The Letters of Paul (Introduction)

The Gospel of Matthew - English Standard Version

The Gospel of Mark - English Standard Version

The Gospel of Luke - English Standard Version

The Gospel of John - English Standard Version

The Book of Psalms and Canticles - The Abbey Psalter

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Other Books:

40 Days With Paul

Benedictines In Oxford (Editor)

Children's Atlas Of The Bible: A Photographic Account Of The Journeys In The Bible From Abraham To St. Paul

Doubleday Bible Commentary: Genesis

Doubleday Bible Commentary: The Gospel of Luke

Event And Interpretation

In the Beginning

Introducing the New Testament

Jesus and the Oral Gospel Tradition

Luke: A Bible Commentary For Every Day

Mark and Matthew

Risen from the Dead

Sunday Word: A Commentary on the Sunday Readings

The Bible A Reader's Guide: Summaries, Commentaries, Color Coding for Key Themes

The Gospel of Matthew: Take and Read (Editor)

The Gospels: Take and Read

The Holy Spirit

The Incarnation

The Lion and the Bull: The Gospels of Mark and Luke

The New Jerusalem Bible (Editor)

The New Testament of the New Jerusalem Bible (Editor)

The Passion

The Passion And Death Of Jesus

The Resurrection

The Revised New Jerusalem Bible (Translator)

The Spck Bible Guide

The Story of Jesus

The Story of Jesus: Photographed as If You Were There!

The Story Of The Bible: How It Came To Us

The Use and Abuse of the Bible: A Brief History of Biblical Interpretation

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Reviews of Different Editions of the Bible:

The Catholic Study Bible - NABRE - Oxford University Press

Spiritual Warfare Bible - Saint Benedict Press

The Great Adventure Bible - Ascension Press

The Bible Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition - Blue Sparrow Publishing

The New Jerusalem Bible Standard Edition

Today's New International Version

New Living Translation

Proverbs: Douay Rheims Bible Version - Fr. Mark Goring and Sr. Penolope Nguyen SC

The New Testament Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition - Blue Sparrow Publishing

New Testament and Psalms for Men - Saint Benedict Press

Holy Bible - English Standard Version Catholic Edition - Augustine Institute

ESV-CE Catholic Bible, Anglicized Standard Hardback - SPCK Publishing

ESV-CE Catholic Bible, Anglicized English Standard Version Catholic Edition in Soft-tone Flexiback Binding Teal - SPCK Publishing

ESV-CE Catholic Bible. English Standard Version in Navy Blue Flexiback Binding Pocket Sized - SPCK Publishing

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Sunday, 5 September 2021

The Joy Of Mercy - Pope Francis - CTS Year of Mercy

The Joy Of Mercy

Year of Mercy

Pope Francis

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784691295

CTS Booklet Do924

This is the eighth and I believe final book in the CTS Year of Mercy series for me to read. I picked all the eBooks of 6 up as soon as I finished the first one. Then I tracked down this and Rich in Mercy by Pope John Paul II that are both only available in physical booklets. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series, and many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But other than Living Fruitfully I believe this is the opnly series I have completed. The description of the booklet is:

“‘Turning our gaze to God, merciful Father, and to our brothers and sisters in need of mercy, means focusing our attention on the essential contents of the Gospel: Jesus, Mercy made flesh, who renders the great mystery of the Trinitarian Love of God visible to our eyes.’

Pope Francis has made mercy a central theme of his pontificate, and in these reflections seeks to explore more deeply God’s mercy and his love for the world. He explores the meaning of mercy from Genesis to the Resurrection and beyond, to the role of God’s people in carrying out works of mercy, asking how we can live mercy, experience it and act as witnesses to God’s mercy in our lives.”

This volume is drawn from 38 of Pope Francis’s weekly audiences given between Wednesday December 9th 2015 and Wednesday November 16th 2016. But not all of the audiences. Some were for specific other events, World Day of Prayer or World Youth Day. But a few were on Mercy and did not make this collection. Seven of them in fact, they were:

Mercy and Commitment – February 20th

Mercy and Almsgiving – April 9th

Mercy Like Piety – May 14th

Prayer as a Source of Mercy – May 25th

Mercy and Redemption – September 10th

Mercy and Dialogue – October 22nd

Mercy and Inclusion November 12th

But even with those omitted passages this book was an excellent volume to read. I highlighted many passages my first read through. And though extensive they are below.

“The Church is in need of this extraordinary occasion. I am not saying: this extraordinary occasion is good for the Church. I am saying: the Church needs this extraordinary occasion. In this era of profound changes, the Church is called to offer her particular contribution, rendering visible the signs of the presence and closeness of God. The Jubilee is a favourable time for all of us, because by contemplating Divine Mercy, which overcomes all human limitations and shines in the darkness of sin, we are able to become more certain and effective witnesses.”

“The Holy Year, therefore, has begun in the entire Church and is being celebrated in every diocese as in Rome. Also, the first Holy Door was opened in the very heart of Africa. Rome, of course, is the visible sign of universal communion. May this ecclesial communion become ever more intense, so that the Church may be the living sign of the Father’s love and mercy in the world.”

“Loving and forgiving as God loves and forgives. This is a programme of life that can know no interruptions or exceptions, but it pushes us always to go farther without ever tiring, with the certainty of being sustained by the paternal presence of God.”

“Another important sign of the Jubilee is confession. Approaching the Sacrament by which we reconcile ourselves with God is equal to directly experiencing his mercy. It is finding the Father who forgives: God forgives everything. God understands us even in our limitations, and he even understands us in our contradictions.”

“Faithfulness in mercy is the very being of God. For this reason God is totally and always trustworthy. A solid and steadfast presence. This is the assurance of our faith.”

“The God of mercy responds and takes care of the poor, of those who cry out in desperation. God listens and intervenes in order to save, raising men able to hear the groan of suffering and to work in favour of the oppressed.”

“So we become thus for God, by accepting his covenant and letting ourselves be saved by him. The Lord’s mercy renders man precious, like a personal treasure that belongs to him, which he safeguards and with which he is well pleased.”

“As Christians, we are called to be missionaries of the Gospel. When we receive good news, or when we experience beautiful moments, we naturally seek to share them with others. We feel inside that we cannot hold back the joy that we have been given; and we want to spread it. The joy that stirs within is such that it drives us to share it.”

“We are all “Christophers”. What does that mean? “Bearers of Christ”. It is the name of our attitude, the attitude of a bearer of the joy of Christ, of the mercy of Christ. Every Christian is a “Christopher”, that is, a bearer of Christ!”

“His is precisely the heart of the father whom we want to encounter when we go to the confessional. Perhaps he will say something to help us better understand our sin, but we all go to find a father who helps us to change our lives; a father who gives us the strength to go on; a father who forgives us in the name of God. That is why being a confessor is such an important responsibility, because that son, that daughter who comes to you is only looking for a father. And you, priest in the confessional, you are there in the place of the Father who does justice with his mercy.”

“This is not a story of former times, it is also a story of today, of the powerful who, in order to have more money, exploit the poor, exploit people. It is the story of the trafficking of people, of slave labour, of poor people who work “under the table” and for a minimal wage, thus enriching the powerful. It is the story of corrupt politicians who want more and more! This is why I said that it would be good for us to read St Ambrose’s book about Naboth, because this text is relevant to modern day.”

“This is what God does! He comes to meet us so that we may allow him, our God, to love us.”

“A parent’s mission to educate aims to raise children in freedom, teaching them how to be responsible, able to do good things for themselves and for others. But, because of sin, freedom becomes the pretext of autonomy, the pretext of pride, and pride leads to opposition and the illusion of self-sufficiency.”

“And with the washing of feet the Lord teaches us to be servants, and more: to serve as he has served us, each and every one of us.

Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, being merciful like the Father means following Jesus on the path of service.”

“The Sacrament of Reconciliation makes present to each one of us that power of forgiveness that flows from the Cross and renews in our life the grace of mercy that Jesus purchased for us! We must not be afraid of our defects: we each have our own. The power of the love of the Crucified One knows no bounds and never runs dry. This mercy wipes away our defects.”

“The lesson that Jesus wants us to learn is, rather, that not a single one of us can be lost. The Lord cannot accept the fact that a single person can be lost. God’s action is that of one who goes out seeking his lost children and then rejoices and celebrates with everyone at their recovery.”

“We should reflect on this parable often, for in the Christian community there is always someone who is missing and if that person is gone, a place is left empty.”

““Do whatever he tells you!”. To serve the Lord means to listen and to put into practice his Word. It is the simple but essential recommendation of the Mother of Jesus and it is the programme of life of the Christian.”

“Jesus also passes by in your Life; and when Jesus passes by, and I realize it, it is an invitation to draw near to him, to be better, to be a better Christian, to follow Jesus.”

“Mercy is a journey that starts in the heart and ends in the hands, namely in the works of mercy.”

“Teaching to look to the essential is a crucial help, especially in a time such as ours which seems to have lost its bearings and pursues short-lived satisfaction. Teaching to discover what the Lord wants from us and how we can correspond means setting out on the path to grow in our own vocation, the path of true joy.”

This book was a good book to work through, and a fitting conclusion to my reading through the CTS Year of Mercy series. As stated in other reviews in the series, the Year of Mercy may be behind us, but these books will benefit those who read them. Will have an impact on the family, friends, and communities of those who read these booklets and strive to live more mercy.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

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Sunday, 29 August 2021

Rich in Mercy - Pope Saint John Paul II - CTS Year of Mercy Reprint

Rich In Mercy

Year of Mercy

Pope Saint John Paul II

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784691080

CTS Booklet Do919

This is the seventh and I believe penultimate book in the CTS Year of Mercy series I have read. I picked all the eBooks of 6 up as soon as I finished the first one. Then I tracked down this and The Joy of Mercy by Pope Francis and this one, that are both only available in physical booklets. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series, and many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. But Other than Living Fruitfully I believe this is the only series I have completed. The description of the booklet is:

“John Paul II tells the story of God's boundless mercy, beginning with the Old Testament and God's love shown in the history of the chosen people of God, through to the ultimate act of mercy: sending his son Jesus, our Redeemer. It is an excellent way to meditate on the meaning of mercy in the Year of Mercy. First published in 1980, this highly readable Encyclical Letter (Dives in Misericordia) is St John Paul's persuasive presentation of a God who throughout history has shown himself to be "rich in mercy".”

This is the booklet edition of the Encyclical Dives In Misericordia promulgated the First Sunday of Advent 1980, November 30th. This book was an excellent volume to read. The chapters in the volume are:

He Who Sees Me Sees the Father

The revelation of mercy

The incarnation of mercy

‘The Messianic Message

When Christ began to act and to teach

The Old Testament

The concept of “mercy” in the Old Testament

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

An analogy

Particular concentration on human dignity

The Paschal Mystery

Mercy revealed in the cross and resurrection

Love more powerful than death, more powerful than sin

Mother of mercy

“Mercy … from Generation to Generation”

An image of our generation

Sources of uneasiness

Is justice enough?

The Mercy of God in the Mission of the Church

The Church professes the mercy of God and proclaims it

The church seeks to put mercy into practice

The Prayer of the Church in our Times

The Church appeals to the mercy of God

Some of the many passages my first read through are:

“In Jesus Christ, every path to man, as it has been assigned once and for all to the Church in the changing context of the times, is simultaneously an approach to the Father and His love. The Second Vatican Council has confirmed this truth for our time.”

“Today I wish to say that openness to Christ, who as the Redeemer of the world fully reveals man himself," can only be achieved through an ever more mature reference to the Father and His love.”

“It is precisely here that "His invisible nature" becomes in a special way "visible," incomparably more visible than through all the other "things that have been made": it becomes visible in Christ and through Christ, through His actions and His words, and finally through His death on the cross and His resurrection.”

“The present-day mentality, more perhaps than that of people in the past, seems opposed to a God of mercy, and in fact tends to exclude from life and to remove from the human heart the very idea of mercy. The word and the concept of "mercy" seem to cause uneasiness in man, who, thanks to the enormous development of science and technology, never before known in history, has become the master of the earth and has subdued and dominated it.”

“Making the Father present as love and mercy is, in Christ's own consciousness, the fundamental touchstone of His mission as the Messiah; this is confirmed by the words that He uttered first in the synagogue at Nazareth and later in the presence of His disciples and of John the Baptist's messengers.”

“The concept of "mercy" in the Old Testament has a long and rich history. We have to refer back to it in order that the mercy revealed by Christ may shine forth more clearly. By revealing that mercy both through His actions and through His teaching, Christ addressed Himself to people who not only knew the concept of mercy, but who also, as the People of God of the Old Covenant, had drawn from their age - long history a special experience of the mercy of God. This experience was social and communal, as well as individual and interior.”

“In the preaching of the prophets, mercy signifies a special power of love, which prevails over the sin and infidelity of the chosen people.”

“Mercy differs from justice, but is not in opposition to it, if we admit in the history of man - as the Old Testament precisely does-the presence of God, who already as Creator has linked Himself to His creature with a particular love.”

“Nevertheless, the relationship between justice and love, that is manifested as mercy, is inscribed with great exactness in the content of the Gospel parable. It becomes more evident that love is transformed into mercy when it is necessary to go beyond the precise norm of justice-precise and often too narrow.”

“Mercy - as Christ has presented it in the parable of the prodigal son - has the interior form of the love that in the New Testament is called agape. This love is able to reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every form of moral misery, to sin. When this happens, the person who is the object of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and "restored to value."”

“The genuine face of mercy has to be ever revealed anew. In spite of many prejudices, mercy seems particularly necessary for our times.”

“The history of our century offers many examples of this. In spite of all the declarations on the rights of man in his integral dimension, that is to say in his bodily and spiritual existence, we cannot say that these examples belong only to the past.”

“The Church must bear witness to the mercy of God revealed in Christ, in the whole of His mission as Messiah, professing it in the first place as a salvific truth of faith and as necessary for a life in harmony with faith, and then seeking to introduce it and to make it incarnate in the lives both of her faithful and as far as possible in the lives of all people of good will. Finally, the Church-professing mercy and remaining always faithful to it-has the right and the duty to call upon the mercy of God, imploring it in the face of all the manifestations of physical and moral evil, before all the threats that cloud the whole horizon of the life of humanity today.”

“Some theologians affirm that mercy is the greatest of the attributes and perfections of God, and the Bible, Tradition and the whole faith life of the People of God provide particular proofs of this.”

“The same Eucharistic rite, celebrated in memory of Him who in His messianic mission revealed the Father to us by means of His words and His cross, attests to the inexhaustible love by virtue of which He desires always to be united with us and present in our midst, coming to meet every human heart. It is the sacrament of Penance or Reconciliation that prepares the way for each individual, even those weighed down with great faults. In this sacrament each person can experience mercy in a unique way, that is, the love which is more powerful than sin.”

“Mercy that is truly Christian is also, in a certain sense, the most perfect incarnation of "equality" between people, and therefore also the most perfect incarnation of justice as well, insofar as justice aims at the same result in its own sphere. However, the equality brought by justice is limited to the realm of objective and extrinsic goods, while love and mercy bring it about that people meet one another in that value which is man himself, with the dignity that is proper to him. At the same time, "equality" of people through "patient and kind" love122 does not take away differences: the person who gives becomes more generous when he feels at the same time benefitted by the person accepting his gift; and vice versa, the person who accepts the gift with the awareness that, in accepting it, he too is doing good is in his own way serving the great cause of the dignity of the person; and this contributes to uniting people in a more profound manner.”

“It is obvious that such a generous requirement of forgiveness does not cancel out the objective requirements of justice. Properly understood, justice constitutes, so to speak, the goal of forgiveness. In no passage of the Gospel message does forgiveness, or mercy as its source, mean indulgence towards evil, towards scandals, towards injury or insult. In any case, reparation for evil and scandal, compensation for injury, and satisfaction for insult are conditions for forgiveness.”

“In analyzing the parable of the prodigal son, we have already called attention to the fact that he who forgives and he who is forgiven encounter one another at an essential point, namely the dignity or essential value of the person, a point which cannot be lost and the affirmation of which, or its rediscovery, is a source of the greatest joy.”

I hope those quotes will encourage you and challenge you to pick up and read this excellent work. At the beginning of the year of mercy I read Beautiful Mercy - Pope Francis et al. Experiencing God's Unconditional Love So We Can Share It With Others edited by Matthew Kelly. I wish I had been aware of this series and read them as they were coming out. I am thankful I came across them. Once I started reading them I wanted to read the whole series. The older I get the more I realize the importance of mercy. Both extending it to others, and accepting it when it is extended to us. The world would be a much better place to live, if we all strived to live more mercy. And if we brought the mercy of God to those who know him not.

This is an excellent read, and wonderful volume. I greatly enjoyed the CTS Year of Mercy series. As I have stated in other reviews in the series, the Year of Mercy may be behind us, but these books will benefit those who read them. And if we are open they will have an impact on the family, friends, and communities of those who read these booklets and strive to live more mercy.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

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Friday, 6 August 2021

Corporal Works of Mercy - Mgr Richard Atherton - Mercy in Action

Corporal Works of Mercy

Mercy in Action

Year of Mercy

Mgr Richard Atherton

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784690809

eISBN 9781784692865

ASIN B071WFQ1RX

CTS Booklet SP45

This is the sixth volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read, and the last that is available as an eBook. I believe there are 8 volumes in this. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the first book I have read by Mgr Richard Atherton. The description of the booklet is:

“Feeding the hungry and thirsty, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, visiting the imprisoned, the sick, and burying the dead – Pope Francis wants us to stop and think again. Are these things I can do, or are they for others to get on with? What good do they do? Actions of mercy are often terribly ordinary and doable. Fr Atherton guides us through the spiritual and practical matters that Love asks of all Christians.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Mercy in Action

“Whatever you did to the least of my brethren…”

Feed the Hungry & Give Drink to the Thirsty

Clothe the Naked & House the Homeless

Visit the Imprisoned & Visit the Sick

Bury the Dead

The Spirituality of the Seven

Endnotes

This book was published in 2015 and the eBook was released in 2017. And it should be noted that sometimes online the title appears as “Mercy in Action: Corporal Works of Mercy” and others as “Corporal Works of Mercy

Mercy in Action”. This booklet begins with these words:

“I do not think there is a Gospel phrase which has made a deeper impression on me…than this one: “Insofar as you did this to one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did it to me”. One has only to think that these words were spoken by the uncreated Truth, who also said, “this is my body…this is my blood”.”

And that is the underlying theme throughout the book. The book ends with these words:

“Her eyes of mercy turned towards us

And finally, just as Mary had once laid her little Son in a manger, so now she fulfilled the final Corporal Work of Mercy for him, as she laid his lifeless body to rest in the tomb. Now her direct work for her Son was over; henceforth, she serves him in the least of his brethren. She more than anyone else can turn “her eyes of mercy towards us” and show us how, through the practice of the Seven Corporal Works of Mercy, we too, in our own small ways, can do “something beautiful for God”.

This book is another excellent read in a wonderful series. It is a very different format than the companion volume Spiritual Works of Mercy by Mgr Paul Grogan. This one focuses on concrete actions. Things that you can do and some resources to help with them.

As stated in other reviews in the series, the Year of Mercy may be behind us, but these books will benefit those who read them. Will have an impact on the family, friends, and communities of those who read these booklets and strive to live more mercy.

A great read in an excellent series..

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

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Wednesday, 4 August 2021

Spiritual Works of Mercy - Mgr Paul Grogan - Agents of Love

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Agents of Love

Year of Mercy

Mgr Paul Grogan

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784690878

eISBN 9781784692872

ASIN B071JRTL4X

CTS Booklet SP46

This is the fifth volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read. I believe there are 8 volumes in this series and that 6 of them are available as eBooks. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the second book I have read by Paul Grogan. The description of the booklet is:

“Most Christians want to live an active faith yet feel perplexed about how to do so. The seven interconnected ‘spiritual works of mercy’ come to our aid: counselling the doubtful; instructing the ignorant; admonishing sinners; comforting the afflicted; forgiving offences; bearing wrongs patiently; and praying for the living and the dead. Through such acts of mercy we can respond fully to God’s goodness towards us, involving conversion of our interior life: such acts are truly God’s acts of mercy; we become the human agents through whom God alleviates people’s unhappiness.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

1. Counsel the doubtful

2. Instruct the ignorant

3. Admonish the sinner

4. Comfort the afflicted

5. Forgive offences

6. Bear wrongs patiently

7. Pray for the living and the dead

This book was published in 2015 and the eBook was released in 2017. In the introduction we are told:

“There are seven spiritual works of mercy just as there are seven corporal works of mercy (please see Mgr Richard Atherton’s companion CTS booklet on the latter). The number is significant. In the Judeo-Christian imagination seven symbolises completeness. These acts of mercy are a means by which disciples of Jesus can make a whole-life response to God’s goodness towards them. While some members of the Church may be especially well placed to perform a particular work, all members of the Church have opportunities to engage in each work in different ways.”

For each chapter on one of the sever works the sections are:

Origins in Scripture

Example of Christ

Example of Christians Historically

The Nature and Goodness of this Work of Mercy

What can you do practically speaking?

Prayer in support

Literature

Sacrament

An example of the Prayer in Support is:

“Prayer in support

Searching for God by St Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109)

O Lord, my God, teach my heart this day where and how to see you, where and how to find you. You have made me and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, and still I do not know you. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you teach me, or find you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in my desire; let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find you by loving you; let me love you when I find you.”

And an example of What can you do practically speaking?:

“1. Take the first move in reaching out to somebody who is interiorly suffering in a friendly, non-judgemental way.

2. Strive to be a person who is approachable. Seek to “be present” to those whom you meet. Then they will feel confident in sharing their problems with you when the time comes.

3. Be ready to encourage people who have particular needs to connect with appropriate professionals.

4. At the parish level, review whether the emotional and spiritual needs of recently bereaved people are being adequately met.”

This book is an excellent read. The whole series is well written but this is one of my favorites in the series. I loved the format used. And even though I will likely return to and reread other books in the series. I see myself returning to this one frequently. Both for those practical application steps and for the prayers. The section on each of the works on literature was really interesting. Some of the sources mentioned are:

George Herbert

Charles Dickens

Jane Austen

Shakespeare

Fyodor Dostoevsky

Chaucer

Dante

And it is interesting to look at the works through that lens.

This is an excellent read in a great series. The year of mercy may have been a few years ago now. But these book are still of upmost value to Catholics. I highly recommend this book and the series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

Living Fruitfully Joy Learning From the Saints

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Books by Mgr Paul Grogan:

Agents of Love: Spiritual Works of Mercy

A Simple Penance Book

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Monday, 2 August 2021

Mercy Works - Mark Shea - Practical Love for the 21st Century

Mercy Works:

Practical Love for the 21st Century

Year of Mercy

Mark Shea

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784690762

eISBN 9781784693312

ASIN B072XR2KYJ

CTS Booklet PA25

This is the fourth volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read. I believe there are 8 volumes in this series and that 6 of them are available as eBooks. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the first book I have read by Mark Shea. It seemed a few years back his name was constantly coming up in the Catholic Blog Sphere or on social media, but I have not heard anything in a few years. The description of the booklet is:

“The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are not a list to be learnt but actions to be lived. Mark Shea gives great examples of people who have performed the works of mercy and advice on how we can practise them in the 21st Century. Written for Pope Francis’s Year of Mercy, it remains a call to each one of us to rediscover and to live the works of Mercy every day.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction to the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy

Feed the Hungry

Give Drink to the Thirsty

Clothe the Naked

Harbour the Harbourless

Visit the Sick

Ransom the Captive

Bury the Dead

Instruct the Ignorant

Counsel the Doubtful

Admonish the Sinner

Bear Wrongs Patiently

Forgive Offences Willingly

Comfort the Afflicted

Pray for the Living and the Dead

Useful Organisations

It is fitting that this was the book I picked up next. I have been randomly picking them after that first one, and I picked it because I had just finished 2 other books by Father Adrian Graffy. But the two remaining eBooks in the series are:

Corporal Work of Mercy – Richard Atherton

Spiritual Works of Mercy – Paul Grogan

Which will deal with the two categories, and this one is an overview of both. In the introduction Mark tells us:

“That is a tonic reminder for Catholics about the Church’s ancient tradition of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. The corporal works of mercy pertain to our bodily needs. They are:

Feed the hungry

Give drink to the thirsty

Clothe the naked

Harbour the harbourless

Visit the sick

Ransom the captive

Bury the dead

The spiritual works of mercy, in contrast, are:

Instruct the ignorant

Counsel the doubtful

Admonish sinners

Bear wrongs patiently

Forgive offences willingly

Comfort the afflicted

Pray for the living and the dead

Why does the Church tease out these seven further works of mercy from the data of Scripture? Because man does not live “by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Mt 4: 4).

In this book we will look at these works of mercy, that we may, as 2 Peter 1: 10 says, make our calling and election sure and, in union with our Lord Jesus, help renew the face of the earth.”

And Mark goes on from there to provide a broad overview. For those in the Uk the final section has some excellent resources to hep you start with living these.

This book is a good read in a great series. The Year of Mercy may be past, but we can all grow in our knowledge of Mercy and of living it out. This book and the series will help us do just that. This book was originally published in 2015 and the eBook released in 2017. It is a good little booklet. And I look forward to reading the others in the Year of Mercy Series. I have the final 2 eBooks. And have ordered the two that are only available as physical books.

A good book in a great series from the Catholic Truth Society!

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books: