"The whole of the Christian life is like a great pilgrimage to the house of the father...a journey of conversion." - Saint John Paul IINo longer ruled by Egyptian captivity, the Israelites wandered for forty years in the wilderness before crossing over into the Promised Land. This ancient account is a foreshadowing of every soul's journey into Paradise. Wherever you are in your spiritual life, this unforgettable forty day adventure out of bondage and into greater spiritual freedom has something for everyone.
Mark Hartfiel’s book, Into Great Freedom, serves as a practical manual for progress in the spiritual life. Taking as its starting point the three stages of the soul in Catholic tradition, Hatrfiel focuses specifically on the first two stages, the Purgative and the Illuminative. The book is best used as a guide for a 40 day journey in spiritual growth. I was most appreciative of the practical exercises in the first part of the book. Attention to each of the exercises will prove fruitful in an intentional season of growth in grace.
This is a good book for 40-day reflection. I read this during lent, and I had to reassess myself as a person and as a man. I will need to reread this next year because there is more I need to change and work on. I only focused on one thing this year, and I have made great progress on this 40-day journey.