La confianza en Dios. Ejercicios espirituales

by Jacques Philippe

Toda la enseñanza de la santa de Lisieux en boca de uno de los mayores predicadores católicos del siglo XXI.

La sencillez no es fácil de entender, la extrema sencillez puede incluso desdibujarse y confundirse con otros rasgos.

El día 1 de octubre, la Iglesia celebra la fiesta de Santa Teresita de Lisieux, a la que se declaró Doctora, a pesar de su corta edad y su breve vida en clausura, precisamente por la sencillez de su enseñanza, por la maravilla del “caminito nuevo”. Sin embargo, tenemos experiencia de lo difícil que resulta profundizar en el alma de esta santa. Muchos hemos leído y releído su autobiografía y nos parece una maravilla absolutamente inimitable y en ocasiones como una vida de santos a la antigua, con un cierto tono aniñado.

Entonces, ¿cuál es el modelo que la Iglesia propone como imitable para los fieles de todos los tiempos, cuando se trata de una monja que ingresa con 15 años en el Carmelo y muere en plena juventud? A esta pregunta responde el último libro de Jacques Philippe editado en España: La confianza en Dios. Primer volumen de la nueva colección de Ediciones Cristiandad, Grandes Predicadores.

Este libro es la trascripción-con las correcciones mínimas necesarias para adaptarlo al estilo escrito- del retiro predicado en una parroquia cercana a Madrid en octubre de 2010.

En estas páginas descubrimos el camino de sencillez y confianza de la santa explicado por el famoso sacerdote de la Orden de las Beatitudes. Gran conocedor de la espiritualidad de la santa de la que el también vive, nos presenta a una Teresa cercana y completamente asequible. Las meditaciones nos conducen de la mano de Teresa por “el caminito” de una santidad asequible para todos, como soñaba la carmelita.
Utilizando los textos de la autobiografía de la carmelita Jacques Philippe aborda los temas fundamentales de la vida de oración de cualquier cristiano, las luchas, los fracasos y las alegrías; descubriéndonos un modelo amable y un camino sencillo al Cielo.

En palabras del propio autor:

“He querido presentar lo esencial del mensaje de esta joven religiosa. Explicar en qué consiste este «caminito totalmente nuevo» o «camino de confianza y amor», que Teresa descubrió, vivió, y a posteriori transmitió a las novicias a su cargo en el Carmelo. Ella presintió que, más allá de este pequeño círculo, Dios quería desvelar este camino a una legión de «almas humildes», de personas frágiles y débiles, para guiarlas hasta la cumbre más alta del amor.

La extraordinaria difusión de la enseñanza de Teresa, que continúa hoy, demuestra que este deseo de la joven carmelita no fue una mera ilusión, sino que correspondía a la sabiduría del Padre, que «oculta sus secretos a los sabios e inteligentes y se los revela a los más humildes».

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality, Religion, Faith, Christian, Nonfiction, Theology

152 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Jacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful explanation of St. Therese's "Little Way" and how her trust in God is so life-transforming, sensible and true to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I must have read this before as there were quite a few highlights already, but as with all Fr. Philippe's books, this can be read multiple times with great benefit. This time, I am sure I finished it and hope there will an occasion to come back.

[Jeff Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is excellent. He apologizes this book is based on a series of talks he did and that he spent little time cleaning it up. No apology was necessary, but it was nice to know the genesis.

Some highlights from it.

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The final sentence is also very important for explaining what “being little” means: “It means not being discouraged by our faults, because children often fall over, but they are so little they don’t hurt themselves badly.”
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The two main signs of pride are despising others and getting discouraged. Those who are humble and accept their littleness don’t get discouraged because they put their trust in God and not in themselves.
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Being humble means consenting to our inner poverty. First of all, recognizing it, because sometimes we don’t want to face it, but above all accepting it!
---
I think a good definition of humility may be this: being in the right relation to ourselves, which enables us to be in the right relation to God and to other people; relating to ourselves according to the truth of what and how we are. One of its essential aspects, as we have seen, is peacefully accepting our weakness and inner poverty.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacques Philippe is one of my favorite spiritual writers. His work is so accessible and practical, yet it really cuts to the heart of the spiritual life. I read this one very slowly, because there is a lot to think about and work on. I probably highlighted most of the book! This is one that is worth re-reading often.

[Claire Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lord convicted me this morning in adoration that I can keep reading about "trust" and "love" but there won't be sanctification in my life until I engage with the present moment and choose to check my heart with the litmus test of: A) is this motivated in trust or distrust and B) am I actively loving others and the Lord?

[Mary Helen Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great timing, highly recommend

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally!!!!

[Kennedy Kellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Fr. Jacques Philippe. This is the second book I’ve read by him and, boy howdy, he just gets it. I read this at the exact right time for me. Truly every time I picked this up it pertained to exactly what I was going through that moment. Shout out Annalise. Shout out Holy Spirit. Shout out Fr. Jacques Philippe. And shout out to my new bestie St. Thérèse. Ily girl.

[Cynthia Newcombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book!

I have read several ofJacques Philipi's books and they are all very practical and helpful. I highly recommend this book!

[Margaret Gipson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devotional literature and St. Therese are both usually not up my alley, but this is a really lovely book.

[Maggie Lunsford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jacques Philippe is just a praying man and you can tell by the thought provoking nature of this book. Would recommend for a little trip down the way of trust and love.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great little treatise on the Little Way based on the writings of St. Therese's of Lisieux. Drawing from the teachings of one of the Church's greatest doctors, Jacques Philippe provides practical guidance for growing in the spiritual life by accepting our own poverty, relying completely on the love and grace of God, and embracing our identity as children of a Good Father. The content of the book is a solid introduction to Therese's spirituality and acts as a great companion to the Story of a Soul, making it perfect for readers who have little to no exposure to St. Therese. Nevertheless, Therese's timeless wisdom still shines through and is infinitely exhaustible for all readers, no matter their knowledge of Therese's life and teachings. I especially enjoyed Philippe's reflections on accepting our inner weakness and the necessity of humility and gratitude for the spiritual life. As I meditated on Philippe's reflections and sought to apply these principles in my life, I found a deepening in my relationship with God and a greater peace and joy resonating throughout my life. Would recommend this as a prayer guide for all, but especially for those navigating circumstances requiring great trust in God. St. Therese of Lisieux, pray for us!

[Timothy Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful little book.

“The more one grows in the spiritual life, the more one depends on God, lives off God, receives everything from his grace. Here there is no question of becoming autonomous. That would mean aiming to do without God: “I’m strong enough”. I have enough experience. We should beware of a form of desire for perfection, that we may sometimes nurture. The desire for perfection is a good thing, in itself, but it can be ambiguous. What do we really want? We would like to be experienced, irreproachable, never make any mistakes, never fall, possess unfailing good judgment and unimpeachable virtue. Which is to say, we would like to have no more need of forgiveness for mercy, no more need of God and his help. If at bottom, our dream of perfection is to be able to manage without God, we are no longer on the path of the Gospel.
The Gospel path is just the opposite. It leads us to receive everything from God: the meaning of our lives, the courage we need, the light by which we make our choices. It leads us to receive everything from God in trust and prayer and simplicity. That is one aspect of what Thérès means by “staying little”: consenting to receive everything necessary from God’s hand, day by day, without worrying about either past or future. Day by day, we do what is asked of us, without anxiety, without fear, certain that God is faithful, and will give us what we need from moment to moment; never falling, pray to the illusion that one day we will be able to manage without God.

[Anne Frain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so truth is - I started this one in a book club last fall but I don’t think any of the words actually sat with me. While on retreat I decided to give it another try and I was glued to every page. Fr. Jacques Philippe writes books that are so easy to comprehend and short and packed with goodness. We are invited to trust the Lord and in that trust we are truly loving Him and our neighbors!

When facing a trial we can ask ourself:
- what act of faith am I being called to make?
- what attitude of trust am I being called to adopt?
- what conversion to love am I being called to undertake?

Sooo much to pray about after this book!

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars because somehow, Jacques Philippe was able to articulate and explain through St. Therese just the sort of encouragement I needed to hear. Reading this was like very good spiritual direction meetings. There is much for meditation here, and I will be returning to different sections for some time now.

[Annalise Rome · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good! Just what I needed to hear. Fr. Jacques is always amazing. He articulates the things I think and feel but can’t find the words to explain. This book is easy to understand but gives you a lot to think and pray about.

[Emily Theisen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book!! This was my first glimpse into St. Therese and I’m so thankful for it! It was a gift starting this book in a group with dear friends and it was a gift reading it on my own as well. There is much to learn here and I can’t wait to pick it up again some day!

[Molly Rembold]

This read was a punch in the gut and I totally understand the hype around St. Therese now🌹

[Hope Hansen]

Such a beautiful spiritual book, it has given me so much to think about!

[therese gasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book lowk changed my life 🙂‍↕️🙏
highly recommend to use this as a retreat guide!!! beautifully written and prompts really insightful inner reflections

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was just what I needed. Although it is short, it packs a powerful spiritual punch between excerpts from St. Thérèse’s writings on her “Little Way” and Fr. Jacques Philippe’s commentary and guidance. Divided into six chapters, it was the perfect Lenten retreat. I have read a chapter a week during Lent and meditated on the notions of faith, trust, humility, and love. I highly recommend, especially for anyone struggling with faith, trust, or any of life’s big questions.

A favorite piece of insight from Fr. Jacques Philippe in this book:
“Knowing and understanding everything can’t save us. That’s a very common illusion, but it isn’t knowledge that saves us: it is faith and trust. [...] In this life it is sometimes absolutely necessary that we consent to go forward without understanding. The purification and refining of our minds and our perception of reality depends on this. There are times when we are called to believe, even if we don’t understand. ‘Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet believe!’”

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really wonderful book, inspiring and easy to read — I'm going to be using this during my prayer times. It is also a good way into St. Therese's writings and charism of the "little way" in case you've not read The Story of a Soul.

[Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars!!

[Antonia Goycoolea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Se basa en las reflexiones de Santa Teresa, impartidas por Jacques Phillipe en un retiro. Me encantó como replantea la confianza como don y base de la relación con Dios. Lo hace a través de sencillos y cortos capítulos

Lo releeré sí o sí. Me fascinó que invitara a preguntarse frente a la dificultad y sin entenderla completamente ¿qué actitud espera de mi Dios frente a esta circunstancia?

También me gusta que no deja que uno se lamente o preocupe eternamente por uno mismo, sino que te invita a tomar las riendas de la propia vida y a asumir las responsabilidades que tiene asociadas.

[Meg Boyle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I need Goodreads to update their rating system so I can give it the specific rating I want :((( I refuse to round up.

I love Fr. Jacques Philippe! He never misses. The latter half of the book fit my current stage of life sooo perfectly it was a gift to receive. Thérèse! Dear girl. I am only giving this a 🌟🌟🌟 rating because I don’t remember loving the first half. 😔

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly powerful. Worth rereading.

[Sydney Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter 6 - on trials and suffering - I’m guessing I’ll re-read and recommend many times throughout life.

[Ana Vendrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Espectacular! para releer y releer

[Marta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es una maravilla.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely helpful!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was laid out in six chapters, but very much like six talks. I used it as a retreat the way it was given and reflected on each chapter after I had read it. This book has had a profound impact on my spiritual life and understanding of St. Therese's "Little Way".