Be Gentle, Be Faithful: Daily Meditations for Busy Christians [Paperback]

OCSO James Stephen Behrens (Author), Patrice J. Tuohy (Editor), Gregory F.A. Pierce (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0879462094 | ISBN-13: 978-0879462093 | Publication Date: October 15, 2007

Acclaimed as an author who "looks at life's complications simply and squeezes magic out of ordinary days," James Stephen Behrens, OCSO, brings his special power of insight to every day of the year in "Be Gentle, Be Faithful." From his vantage point at a Trappist monastery, Father Behrens offers 368 daily reflections. Each meditation points out how the lessons learned in a monastery can have a positive impact on the everyday lives of all Christians. A carefully-chosen Scripture quotation illuminates each daily meditation and provides additional food for thought.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . The book is meant for busy Christians, so Behren's daily reflections are short-one or two paragraphs long. It will not take much time each day to read his thoughts but many will stay with the reader all day long. They are personal, often humorous, but always thought provoking. . . . After the year is over and the book is finished, the reader will have two options: read it joyfully again or pass it on to someone else . . . . -- Catholic Library World, March 2000

". . . The daily meditations only take a few minutes to read, and will spark great breakfast conversations to give a splendid start on those busy days. . . " -- Buena Vista Newsletter, March/Apr 2000

Product Details

• Paperback: 372 pages
• Publisher: ACTA Publications (October 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879462094
• ISBN-13: 978-0879462093
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,669,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Be Gentle, Be Faithful, Be Moved, August 27, 2001

By 

Deacon Thom (Forest Hills, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Gentle, Be Faithful: Daily Meditations for Busy Christians (Paperback)

This gentle, faithful little book is full of wonders to be read, and re-read -- personal insights, quick asides, random thoughts, elegant sermonettes on life and living. James Stephen Behrens doesn't waste words; these quick essays are like Cistercian chapels, with no unnecessary adornment, nothing to distract the mind from the matter at hand. This makes you savor each word, contemplate each story. Sometimes, in this book, the simplest notions are the most moving -- why he thinks, for example, that the most eloquent prayer is one word, "Stay." When I started leafing through this book, I folded over the corners of pages I liked. Bad idea. Now, nearly all the pages are dog-eared. But the best news is that discovering this book has simplified my Christmas shopping. Now I know what to get people who seem to have everything: this little package of wisdom, a book that looks at commonplace things with uncommon grace.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Grace Is Everywhere", May 12, 2000

By 

Barbara Ann T. Mohr (New York City, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Gentle, Be Faithful: Daily Meditations for Busy Christians (Paperback)

I have just come to know James Stephen Behrens and it is a fortunate discovery! Although I have read comments comparing him to Thomas Merton, also a Trappist priest-writer,I find his bill of fare served differently. There is a profound simplicity in the reflections as presented in this book. One must chew the words slowly to savor the delicacy of the banquet Behrens puts before the reader. He has taken the common place and elevated it to the supernatural where it belongs. I cannot look at my everyday world with the same eyes since feasting on "GraceIs Everywhere."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One a Day, May 18, 2000

By 

Valerie O'Reilly - See all my reviews

This review is from: Be Gentle, Be Faithful: Daily Meditations for Busy Christians (Paperback)

This book contains a daily dose of wisdom to go along with that morning coffee, toast and multi vitamin. It's easy to digest and helps nourish the mind and soul throughout the day. The snippets of scripture and Fr. Behrens life stories, cause us to slow down and take another, deeper look into ourselves and our past.