Five books for the season of Lent
It has been difficult to come to terms with the many atrocities bedeviling the modern world in the last couple of years. Only this week another school in Florida, United States of America, lost 17 children and some of their teachers to a deranged 19-year-old expelled pupil who had posted on YouTube that he was […]
It has been difficult to come to terms with the many atrocities bedeviling the modern world in the last couple of years. Only this week another school in Florida, United States of America, lost 17 children and some of their teachers to a deranged 19-year-old expelled pupil who had posted on YouTube that he was going to be famous as a school shooter. Is that even a job definition? Helpless children and their protective teachers. The story builds daily, 41 persons killed by armed bandits in Zamfara State, rogue herdsmen on the loose killing and maiming, reprisal attacks, kidnappings, rape of minors and sexual abuse in its most horrific form, abuse of girls and boys, immigration blues, infighting in families. For most of my Christian brethren, the end of the world is nigh.
End times they say with a sigh and a sad look. And who is to say it is not. It is in the face of all of this that I bring you five books in tandem with the season, the Lenten period for all Christians and their brethren worldwide, a time for atonement for our sins, a time to change for the better, a time for charity, kindness, reflection and deep prayers. A time to fast and be closer to God. Who is that person you no longer speak with, it is time to find it in your heart to forgive. Do you steal, cheat and slander others, it is time to make amends. Here is the forty-day opportunity we are given to turn a new leaf. Do make the best of it. It will be painful but the reward comes at the triumphant Easter period when our Lord Jesus rises from the dead and makes us all whole again. Be present to receive a great reward when you do the work of charity, prayer, fasting and kindness.
Here are four books, a speech and bonus books to help you along.
1) Mercy in the city, how to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, visit the imprisoned and keep your day job by Kerry Webber. When Jesus asked us to visit the imprisoned, feed the poor and give drink to the thirsty, did he mean it literally? These are the questions most persons of faith, especially busy persons ask. The question is always where will I find the time? This is what the author of this awesome book battles with and decides as a single woman in New York with a full time job to deal with. She tries to see if she can practice the corporal works of mercy in an authentic wholesome, meaningful way through the pressure of real life. This is a book for all, this Lenten season, particularly those who doubt that they can do charity in a full time job. It tells us that we can live a life for others as people while learning to communicate as people of faith.
2) The Pope’s Ash Wednesday message is so profound this year. Find it wherever it is and read it. Here are excerpts. At Mass on Ash Wednesday, Pope Francis invited all to pause from things which keep us from virtue and return home to the loving and merciful embrace of God. According to the Pope, Lent is “the time for allowing one’s heart to be touched…” and he explains that “persisting on the path of evil only gives rise to disappointment and sadness. True life is something quite distinct and our heart indeed knows this. God does not tire, nor will he tire, of holding out his hand”
4) Forty-day spiritual work out for Catholics by Bob Rice. This is a book that gets your faith into shape and gives you deeper transformation in your life. Helps you develop a routine that will lasts you a lifetime. Borrowing terms and concepts from physical work outs it gives you a daily guide for the forty days in Lent, a bit of prayer, a quote from scripture, a quote from catechism of the Catholic church, the story of a saint and a short reflection. It helps to build your spiritual muscle, burn fat and cool down, all concepts from physical activity. A great read.
5)Catherine Mandell writes a compelling cookery book for the Lenten season. When you fast… Recipes for Lenten seasons, is a wonderful book. Fasting as part of Lenten duty can sometimes befuddle the rest of us. It is always wise to seek your spiritual advisers help but I know that the sick, the ageing and the weak as well as a certain age grade of children can fast only for a limited time or not at all. This book was the author’s way of instituting fasting in a pleasurable way for her family while seeking the traditional orthodox Christian way. There are 2,000 recipes in the book, easy and appealing meals that take into consideration abstinence from meat, oil and dairy in Lent’s strictest days. The book is also sprinkled with sayings from the mother and fathers of the early church. Foreword and afterward written by orthodox Christian priests.