Customer Reviews

The Desert: An Anthology for Lent

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The Desert is one of the best anthologies of mediations for Lent that I have seen. The book has three explanatory chapters on desert spirituality and it's literature. The core of the book is a group of readings for each day of lent, the group rarely filling two pages.

The breadth of material selected is impressive. The fourth Wednesday of Lent, to pick any example, has writings of Charles de Foucauld, the desert father Abbot Moses, Alessandro Pronzato, and Thomas Merton. Many of the readings are merely a sentence. From the same example, one quote from Charles de Foucauld: "Love consists not in feeling that you love, but in the will to love."

John Moses' Anthology encourages the reader to sojourn on a wilderness journey for the time of Lent. By gathering writings from Christian authors throughout the rich tradition of the faith related to themes centered around the desert, Moses provides a framework for the traveler's time of preparation for Holy Week, Easter and beyond. Sayings are taken from the writings of the Desert Fathers, St. John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, Alessandro Pronzato, St. Teresa of Avila and many more.

Each day of the journey is given about a half a dozen sayings for the traveler to read and contemplate as a focus of their devotional time. Each week is given a theme beginning with The Call to the Desert and concluding with contemplation of the Divine Mystery.

As I have used this anthology of sayings for my Lenten journey Ihave been continually challenged and encouraged by the selections to seek God more deeply. I have been inspired by the words of those who have traveled these paths before me and have left their markers for me to follow.

I unreservedly recommend this book for anyone embarking on a journey of metanoia, whether that be during Lent or during any other time of the year.

The Desert This anthology infused my Lenten season with holiness and a step towards a deeper contemplation in the Mystery. Short daily readings from Ash Wednesday to Easter Day are broken down into themes of The Call to the Desert, Solitude, Testing, Self-Emptying, Encounter, Transfiguration and the Divine Mystery.

The words accompanied me as I shared the forty day journey with Christ. I found some of the readings especially helpful in preparing for reconciliation with God.

This is a book I plan to reread again next Lent. The readings have eternal significance and infinite insights.