This beautifully written book opens up the riches of the Carmelite tradition, helping Christians of every denomination to read Scripture in a spirit of prayer.
James McCaffrey OCD is Director of Teresian Press and Editor of
Mount Carmel: A Review of the Spiritual Life. He has a doctorate
in
Scripture from the Biblical Institute, Rome, The House with
Many
Rooms: The Temple Theme of Jn. 14.2–3, and is an experienced
speaker on Carmelite spirituality and Scripture. He is the
author
of numerous publications, including A Biblical Prayer Journey
in
the Holy Land, The Carmelite Charism: Exploring the Biblical
Roots,
Captive Flames: A Biblical Reading of the Carmelite Saints,
Prayer
– The Heart of the Gospels and Infinite Horizons: Scripture
through
Carmelite Eyes.
We are living through times of disillusionment and bewilderment – a
global "dark night of the soul". Carmelite spirituality understands
this terrain. This book guides us expertly into the spirit of
Carmel, outlining its background, introducing us to major Carmelite
visionaries, from Teresa of Avila to Edith Stein, and inviting us
to explore the Carmelite method of quiet contemplative prayer, just
"gazing on God". A series of very practical contemporary questions
encourages us to apply Carmelite wisdom to our own situations, and
allow the gentle light of Carmel’s wisdom to bring insight to our
own dark nights.
*Margaret Silf, author and retreat facilitator*
For any Christians who have asked themselves the question, "How do
I pray?", especially during the sacred season of Lent, this book
will come as a timely help. Fr McCaffrey, drawing upon a lifetime’s
experience of Carmelite life and his own unsurpassable biblical
scholarship, presents a satisfying synthesis – scholarly and
practical, humble yet brilliant. I warmly commend it.
*Professor Peter Tyler, St Mary’s University, Twickenham,
London*
Partly because of the intense mystical experiences of individual
Carmelites, and particularly of Teresa of Avila and John of the
Cross, it is too easy to see Carmelite spirituality as "difficult"
or even esoteric; as only suited to very advanced souls. Fr
McCaffrey ocd does an extraordinarily lovely job of making this
spiritual tradition somehow "pure" – sensible has become too
prosaic a word. The underlying themes of "openness to the spirit"
through the Scriptures are made accessible, enriching, worthwhile.
It is the sort of Lent book many of us need – expanding and
deepening our practice as an exploration into the new which at the
same time has been tested through the tradition. It is both useful
and beautiful.
*Sara Maitland, author of A Book of Silence and many other
titles*
In a world marked by division and uncertainty, God calls us to
communion. Too many hearts are beset by lingering weakness and
unhealed wounds. God beckons with silence. Our lives are filled
with the disposable and casual. God entices us with his eternal
Presence. With keen spiritual insight, Fr McCaffrey poignantly
captures this spiritual adventure, this journey of accompaniment
with the Holy Spirit, which the Church invites us to set out upon
during Lent. With wisdom born of faith, Fr McCaffrey delves into
the riches of his own Carmelite tradition. His confident assurance
is that God is inviting us, yet again this Lent, into a "privileged
time for prayer", when the gentle hand of God can transform each of
us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
*Monsignor Joseph Reilly, Rector and Dean of Immaculate Conception
Seminary School of Theology*
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