Exploring the significance of personal keepsakes, this book delves into how cherished items serve as reminders of life's meaning amidst chaos. It emphasizes the connection between our actions and identity, illustrating a longing for a purposeful existence that benefits the greater good. The author, Muto, compiles insightful sayings from spiritual writers, positioning these words as treasures that nourish the soul. Ultimately, the book suggests that while we may not control our destinies, these keepsakes reveal a hopeful thread that unites our experiences.
Exploring the profound impact of daily choices, the book emphasizes the stark contrast between the narrow way and the easy road in the journey of faith. It challenges readers to confront the critical question of their commitment to follow the narrow path toward salvation, highlighting the eternal consequences of their decisions. The narrative encourages deep reflection on personal beliefs and the willingness to embrace a more challenging spiritual journey.
Understanding Our Story presents a concise introduction to the original, transformative thinking of Adrian van Kaam, CSSp, PhD (1920-2007). While many books are available on "spiritual formation" and "Christian disciplines," no other author of our time has offered such a holistic and comprehensive explanation of Christian formation and its relationship to the human spirituality of all persons. Understanding our Story culls the most seminal ideas and vocabulary from van Kaam's eleven volumes on formation science, formation anthropology, and formation theology, and provides examples of his theoretical-practical research drawn from everyday life, Scripture, Christian writers, and van Kaam's life story itself. In doing so, it makes his extensive work available to scholars in the field of spiritual formation, and gives all readers the opportunity to utilize his insightful thinking to more fully understand the myriad ways in which God reforms and transforms lives into the image of Christ. In the pluritraditional world in which we live, where so many faith and formation traditions demand our attention, van Kaam's formative spirituality provides a means of respectful dialogue with formationally relevant truths from others and of wise appraisal of ideas that are (and are not) conducive to, and compatible with, the Christian revelation.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux's "Little Way" has been embraced by people of all walks of life. In Twelve Little Ways to Transform Your Heart, author Susan Muto explores twelve facets of St. Thérèse's simple spiritual path as a way to personal holiness and the secret to being a powerful witness to Christ in the world today. Though she lived only to the age of twenty-four and spent almost her entire life at her family home and in the Carmelite convent, St. Thérèse of Lisieux displayed a love for Jesus and a passion for his gospel that have made her the patroness of the missions. The "Little Flower's" humility and childlike trust are still powerful examples of how ordinary people can grow closer to Jesus and respond to Pope Francis's call for a new evangelization. The calls to holiness and to witness to Christ can seem daunting, but as Susan Muto--renowned speaker and expert on Carmelite spirituality--explains, Thérèse shows us that they are neither difficult nor dramatic. The Little Way can be lived by any of us, even with what Thérèse called the "ministry of the smile." With deep insight and warm personal devotion, Muto explains the Little Way and will help you put twelve dimensions of it into practice, drawing others to Christ by living a simple, joyful life. These twelve ways, derived from the example of Thérèse, are: Learn to love the hidden life; Appreciate what a treasure the ordinary is; Trust in Divine Mercy as little children do; Receive the sacraments devoutly day after day; Abandon yourself to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Foster friendship with God and others; Take up your cross and follow Jesus; Pray unceasingly; Simplify your life; Let God free you to be your best self; Commit yourself--body, mind, and spirit--to living the Gospel; Leave a legacy of evangelical virtues others want to cultivate. Muto features short quotations from the saint's autobiography, poetry, letters, and prayers, as well as perceptive reflection questions and personal prayers to show how imitating Thérèse can make us a powerful force of love. Muto also offers practical spiritual advice for those who want to deepen their faith and are attracted to the simplicity of St. Thérèse's Little Way. -- Provided by publisher
Many popular secular books today explore how embracing gratitude can lead to a happier, healthier life. In contrast, Muto, a renowned author, speaker, and teacher, approaches gratitude from a uniquely Catholic perspective. In this insightful, inspiring book, she explores how life-changing a spirit of gratefulness can be by using both personal and well-known examples of the struggles and rewards of grateful living. Muto and companions such as Julian of Norwich, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Henri J. M. Nouwen, and Dorothy Day highlight the power of gratitude as a grace from God and walk with us as we learn to practice thankfulness. A spirituality of gratitude reminds us that, even without the possessions, luxuries, or leisure time society claims are the most important things in life, God still loves, cares, and knows what's best for us. Muto also provides practical tools that help us embrace this grace in our lives.
Naucz się nieustannie trwać w dziękczynieniu i zyskaj spokój serca, radość
oraz prawdziwe szczęście! W świecie rządzonym przez zachłanność i poczucie, że
wszystko nam się należy, wielu ludziom trudno zrozumieć, że wdzięczność nie
jest oznaką słabości, lecz Bożym darem, który pozwala nam budować lepsze
życie. Susan Muto proponuje zatem czytelnikom zupełnie nowe spojrzenie na
wdzięczność jako na postawę, która otwiera nas zarówno na dobro ukryte w sercu
każdego napotkanego człowieka, jak i na doświadczenie Bożej miłości. Czytając
tę piękną książkę, każdy może się nauczyć trwać w dziękczynieniu, które wbrew
powszechnym opiniom nie jest wyrazem uległości, lecz siły i otwartości. Mogą
one sprawić, że nasze życie stanie się radośniejsze, spokojniejsze i bardziej
uporządkowane. Wdzięczność bowiem pozwala nam spojrzeć i na siebie, i na
drugiego człowieka z innej niż dotychczas perspektywy, by ułożyć dzięki temu
lepsze i trwalsze relacje małżeńskie, rodzinne oraz przyjacielskie. Skorzystaj
z tego niezwykłego duchowego przewodnika i przyjmij dzięki niemu dającą
prawdziwy pokój w sercu postawę dziękczynienia za każdy dar, który Bóg
przekazuje nam przez ręce naszych najbliższych i przyjaciół. Podążając za
opisami pełnego wdzięczności życia wielkich świętych Kościoła i z pomocą
praktycznych porad autorki tej wyjątkowej książki, nie tylko sam nauczysz się
takiej postawy, lecz także zachęcisz do niej otaczających Cię ludzi. „Szukamy
szczęścia zupełnie nie tam, gdzie trzeba. Susan Muto pokazuje nam, że można je
odnaleźć w przepełnionym wdzięcznością sercu. Wdzięczność jest odtrutką na
sceptycyzm. Jest kluczem do zrozumienia rzeczywistości – jedynym właściwym.
Jestem wdzięczny Susan Muto za tę bardzo prostą, bardzo praktyczną i bardzo
potrzebną książkę”. Mike Aquilina, autor książki Zadziwiający Kościół. Jak
katolicyzm ukształtował nasz świat Susan Muto – dyrektor Stowarzyszenia
Objawienia Pańskiego, literaturoznawczyni, publicystka, pedagog, dziekan
Akademii Formacji Duchowej Objawienia Pańskiego. Mieszka w Pittsburghu w
stanie Pensylwania.
