Catholic Readers discussion
So...what are you reading?
I finished Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement: The Wisdom and Spiritual Power of Venerable Bruno Lanteri. What a beautiful and encouraging book! I can't recomment it highly enough.
Christine wrote: "Thank you for the post!"You're welcome, Christine! I really loved it.
Michelle wrote: "I finished Overcoming Spiritual Discouragement: The Wisdom and Spiritual Power of Venerable Bruno Lanteri. What a beautiful and encouraging book! I can't recomment it highly enough."Thank you for this recommendation - I will put this on my list!
Boundaries: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your LifeEnjoying this book, like how it makes reference to bible teachings and how to transform boundaries.
Christine wrote: "The Public LIfe of Our Lord Jesus Christ. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3..."
This title is interesting - I have added this on my list - thanks for sharing Christine!
Michelle wrote: "I began reading Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II yesterday."How did it go with this one? Interesting enough my late grandaunt interacted with him.
Marcia wrote: "Michelle wrote: "I began reading Witness to Hope: The Biography of Pope John Paul II yesterday."How did it go with this one? Interesting enough my late grandaunt interacted with him."
Oh, lucky her! It's been a while since I read it, Marcia, but I believe I thought favorably about it.
Actually, the more I think on it, I believe this was the one that was more pedantic. I tend to prefer more meditative books, and this was not that type. Perhaps someone else in the group could give a better opinion!
I picked up The Sign of the Cross: The Fifteen Most Powerful Words in the English Language but I set it into my to-be-continued folder as it just wasn't the time for me to read it. I think I had read about 30%.Then I opted for Our Father: Reflections on the Lord's Prayer, and this is the book for me right now. I've always loved writings devoted to this prayer!
Come Rack! Come Rope! by Robert Hugh Benson. A story that takes place in 16th century England. We meet Jesuit saint and martyr Edmund Campion.
I'm also reading Come Rack! Come Rope! for Catholic Thought group read, but I just finished Joe Heschmeyer's The Early Church Was the Catholic Church : The Catholic Witness of the Fathers in Christianity's First Two Centuries. I haven't written a review of it yet but it was a superb read.
Manny wrote: "for Catholic Thought group read, but I just finished Joe Heschmeyer's [book:The Early Church Was the Catholic Church : The Catholic Witness of the Fathers in ..."For me, to understand the early church, there is nothing like the Acts of the Apostles. Like Peter and Paul, we Roman Catholics do a good job in working toward trying to find the commonality between Roman Catholicism and other catholic, orthodox and protestant churches. How does Heschmeyer address ecumenism?
Carmen, the Acts of the Apostles only cover up to about 60 AD at the latest. There are different stages of the "early Church." This book covers the first two hundred years. He doesn't cover ecumenism because the Church had not split yet. The point of the book was to show - and to show especially Protestants who contest the Catholic Church is the original Church - that the practices of Catholicism today can be found in the very first two hundred years of Christianity.
Manny wrote: "Carmen, the Acts of the Apostles only cover up to about 60 AD at the latest..."Thank you, Manny.
The entire Bible was written before 60AD. But the "early church" of the first three centuries chose to keep the Acts of the Apostles in the Canon.
With that said, the New Testament covers a lot of the divisions that occurred between and within the churches in Corinth, Antioch, etc.
So again, how does the book connect the issues of ecumenism (the concept and principle that Christians who belong to different Christian denominations should work together to develop closer relationships among their churches and promote Christian unity) as it reflects the biblical origins of our church?
Carmen, that is not the intent of this book. The intent of this book is captured in the book’s subtitle. There was no ecumenism in the early because there were no denominations, just one Church which the author proves was the Catholic Church in its infancy. There were no denominations. In fact the concept of ecumenism is I think a concept of the 20th century. I suspect you don’t know much about the first six hundred years of Christianity. I’ll look for an introductory book for you when I have time. Why are you so focused on ecumenism?
Manny wrote: "Carmen, that is not the intent of this book. The intent of this book is ... one Church which the author proves was the Catholic Church in its infancy..."The Roman Catholic Church was formed by the Roman Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century. The "early church" includes the churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Alexandria, etc. and also Rome. But they were different church communities, and not yet united under the papacy.
So before we address the problem of Protestantism in modern times, I would like to clarify the distinction between the "early church" and the Roman Catholic Church that was formalized in the 4th Century.
Well, like quite a few of your comments, Carmen, that’s wrong. The Catholic Church was started by Jesus Christ when he gave his chief apostle, Simon Peter, the power to loose and bind. Carmen you don’t have the fundamental rudiments of Catholicism. You can argue with Joe Heschmeyer.
Manny wrote: "The Catholic Church was started by Jesus Christ when he gave his chief apostle, Simon Peter, the power to loose and bind. Carmen you d..."Jesus ordained Twelve Apostles with the "power to loose and bind."
I personally find the topic fascinating. Why is the Bishop of Rome the leader of Christendom included the other catholic and some orthodox churches?
Since you recommend the book, you must know the answer to my question. How does the author addresses the question of how the papacy through the Roman Catholic Church became the global leader, and not the patriarchs at the Byzantine Church, etc.
Carmen, William Bennett’s Tried By Fire: The story of Christianity’s First Thousand Years, is an excellent, wide-ranging history of the Church. Ignatius of Antioch, Ambrose, Augustine, Pope Leo ( who turned back Attila the Hun), Gregory the Great, Benedict, the father of Western monasticism, the dawn of Islam, Charles Martel and the battle of Tours — all are explored in rich, memorable detail. When it comes to the role of St. Paul, N.T. Wright, probably the most erudite Pauline scholar today, has several books — some for colleagues in the discipline, others for popular readership — that describe his influence on Christianity and western civilization in general. He’s a wonderful writer and a joy to read.
If any of these are new to you, you have a real treat in store.
Carmen wrote: "Manny wrote: "The Catholic Church was started by Jesus Christ when he gave his chief apostle, Simon Peter, the power to loose and bind. Carmen you d..."Jesus ordained Twelve Apostles with the "po..."
Carmen, Jesus gave the apostles the authority to bind and loose but he gave Peter both that authority and the keys to heaven. And He specifically tells Peter to "feed His sheep."
Peter is the central apostle. He is in every scene. The other apostles are barely mentioned. You can probably add up all the other apostles scene time in the Gospels and Peter would have more than double than all of them added together. Read the first half of Acts of the Apostles. Peter is in charge. He dominates the action. The second half concerns the missionary evangelization of Paul. But it is clear that even to paul Peter is in charge, even when Paul disagrees with Peter.
You can read the Biblical foundation of the primacy of Peter here:
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/pri...
You can read the early Church Father's belief in the primacy of Peter:
https://www.catholic.com/tract/origin...
And more from the early church on Peter:
https://www.catholic.com/tract/peters...
The book to read on this is actually another Joe Heschmeyer book, this called Pope Peter: Defending the Church's Most Distinctive Doctrine in a Time of Crisis
Peter is clearly the central apostle both in the New Testament and from the Church Fathers. Even the Orthodox Church admits to the Primacy of Peter.
Manny wrote: "The Catholic Church was started by Jesus Christ when he gave his chief apostle, Simon Peter, the power to loose and bind. "Thank you for your patience with me.
As I stated with my first comment, the Acts of the Apostles is my favorite in showing the leadership of St. Peter in the early church.
But you pointed out that Heschmeyer's book focuses on the two centuries after the Acts of the Apostles was written. I am assuming that the author bases his research on second & third century writings. But I don't know.
Frances wrote: "Carmen, William Bennett’s Tried By Fire: The story of Christianity’s First Thousand Years, is an excellent, wide-ranging history of the Church. Ignatius of Antioch, Ambrose, Augustine, Pope Leo ( w..."Thank you, Frances.
There is definitely a wealth of literature on the subject. I was only wondering how the book Manny recommended addresses the two centuries after Christ.
Sorry for all the confusion.
There’s no confusion, Carmen. I think one of the loveliest things about this group is that its members enjoy meaningful conversations.
Frances wrote: "There’s no confusion, Carmen. I think one of the loveliest things about this group is that its members enjoy meaningful conversations."That is my hope, Frances.
Thank you.
Carmen would do well to read. DEFENDERS OF THE WEST. https://www.amazon.com/Defenders-West...
And would do well to visit a TLM in his area.
Learn what Vatican II did and why returning to the TLM pre Vatican is what the CHURCH MILITANT the HOLY CATHOLIC CHURCH is about and powerful!
Christine wrote: "Carmen would do well to read. DEFENDERS OF THE WEST."What a fascinating topic!
I'm not familiar with 'Church Militant.' But I am definitely aware of what St. Francis thought about Islam during the time of the Crusades.
Does the author talk about St. Francis?
Definitely the best that I've read on the topic, Tracy B. Strong's book titled 'Friedrich Nietzsche and the Politics of Transfiguration' carefully peels away the misconceptions we have developed about the philosopher over the last 150 years. Strong then leads the reader toward the true genius of Nietzsche who stated that for better or for worse we are 'not homo sapiens, but homo politicus.'I am particularly interested to learn how Strong's book fits into my concept of the Transfiguration of Christ.
Dr. Anthony Esolen is hosting a bookclub discussion on The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius. It is open to the public. The first lecture/discussion is on Jan. 17, 2023 https://instituteofcatholicculture.or...
Kathleen wrote: "I just finished The Abbess of Andalusia by Lorriane Murray. It's a spiritual biography of Flannery O'Connor. Excellent."I enjoyed that book. I think it was that book that lead me to her Memoirs of Mary Ann, about the little girl in the home for incurables. There is an old video on Youtube, The Displaced Person, which was filmed at the farm.
https://youtu.be/ZPVe6SJNiaw
Thank you Susan. I may have that book somewhere. I have not read it though.
Presently, rereading 'The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth' by Scott Hahn.Every time I pick up this book, I find something new to ponder on. I am presently focusing on the words spoken by the Lord, "This is My Body." Hahn beautifully draws a parallel to the first marriage where Adam looks upon Eve and proclaims, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh (Genesis 2:23)."
We know theoretically that heaven is the Wedding Banquet of the Lord. But how deeply are we willing to think about the meaning of the Church as the Bride of Christ?
Lovely comment Carmen. I have Hahn’s book on my to read list for ages. I wish I could get to it.
Manny wrote: "Lovely comment Carmen. I have Hahn’s book on my to read list for ages. I wish I could get to it."I know the feeling, Manny.
But be sure that you will read it when you are meant to read it.
I just finished 'The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth' by Scott Hahn. I first read it 20 years ago, but decided to reread it to see if I saw anything new. This time I found myself focusing on the words spoken by the Lord, "This is My Body," because Hahn draws a parallel between the Wedding Feast of the Lamb found in the Book of Revelations and the first marriage where Adam looks upon Eve and proclaims, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh (Genesis 2:23)." We know theoretically that heaven is the Wedding Banquet of the Lord. But how deeply are we willing to think about the meaning of the Church as the Bride of Christ?
Sadly, Hahn fails to adequately address the intimacy found in the relationship between the Bridegroom and His Church. But then, when we think about it, just as every marital relationship is unique and personal, so is each person's relationship with Our Lord. With that said, I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to ponder on the Mass.
I am reading Holy Habits as my Lenten reading this year. It’s by Fr. Mark Mary Ames, CFR. I hope to read soon Rocking House Catholic by Caryol Houslander. I think it’s about her early years.
I just read Salvation Comes from the Jews by Roy Schoeman. If you are drawn to the topic, I highly recommend this book. It traces all the messianic prophecies and provides enlightening commentary. It reviews the links of Christ's Jewish heritage, sermons and passion to the prophecies. It tracks the rise of Hitler, the Holocaust and the aftermath. The author is a Jewish convert to Catholicism. I am so thankful I heard him interviewed on Relevant Radio and found the book at the library.
Sheila wrote: "I just read Salvation Comes from the Jews by Roy Schoeman. If you are drawn to the topic, I highly recommend this book. It traces all the messianic prophecies and provides enlightening commentary. ..."Thank you, Sheila, for this recommendation. I am presently reading Oakland Diocese Bishop Emeritus Cummins memoir: Vatican II, Berkeley and Beyond (1962-2012). I am particularly fascinated by the good bishop's spiritual journey in regards to Ecumenism and Interfaith dialogue. With that said, I love reading about our faith through the lens of a convert. Your recommendation reminds me that I have to add this to my reading list.
Mary wrote: "Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe by Ben Quash"Thank you. Looks like a good book.
Manny wrote: "Mary wrote: "Heresies and How to Avoid Them: Why It Matters What Christians Believe by Ben Quash"Thank you. Looks like a good book."
Hope you find it profitable.
Perhaps the most beautiful short story ever written about Easter — to my mind it is — Anton Chekhov’s brilliant work, “The Student.’’ It was Chekhov’s personal favorite among his short stories, and if you have time to read it — it’s only a few pages long — you may agree.Bottom line: read it, when you have time.
My story "LIzzy's Gift" was published in Spring issue of The LIguorian. If you do not subscribe to this Catholic magazine I'm happy to send you a pdf file. Just reply with your email address.
I am reading "St Bernadette Soubirous," by Francis Trochu. An excellent history of the Apparition at Lourdes in a style that is a mix of story narrative with journalistic reporting.
Catholic Readers
Books mentioned in this topic
It Is Right and Just: Why the Future of Civilization Depends on True Religion (other topics)Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible (other topics)
Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible (other topics)
Walking with God: A Journey Through the Bible (other topics)
Hope in Time of Abandonment (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Scott Hahn (other topics)Jacques Ellul (other topics)
Colm Tóibín (other topics)
Ben Quash (other topics)
Ben Quash (other topics)
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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...