Customer Reviews

Jesus as Friend

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This little hidden gem of a book contains 26 two-to-three page reflections on a variety of Christian themes (the Kingdom of God, mortification, interior life etc.) built around the unifying theme that because Jesus was indeed fully human, God is not an aloof distant figure, but rather someone whom we can approach like any other close friend... making regular time together with them, doing sweet, silly things for them, etc.

Fr. Canals (a Catholic priest) writes, "Listen to St Augustine, he speaks from the experience of an incisive mind and a great heart: 'I can be God's friend if I so wish.' . . .Be hungry and thrist to know the holy humanity of Christ and to live very close to him. Jesus Christ is a man, a real man like us, with body and soul, intelligence and will, like you and me. Remind yourself of this often: it will make it easier for you to approach Him in prayer or in the Eucharist, and your life of piety will find in him its true center, and your Christianity will be more authentic. . . People get to know each other thanks to a warm, sincere, intimate and steady relationship. . ." (p.1-3)

This approach has the potential for radical results in Christians who--being unable to speak with Jesus in person--tend to understand God as a remote spiritual entity.

Each reflection begins with an interesting quote from St. Josemaria Escriva, and it should be noted that these are deep, challenging reflections not for the fainthearted. Canals is very insistent about the need for increased holiness--especially sacrifice, charity, and honesty--in our daily lives. These reflections make ideal morning meditations.

Highly Recommended.

a very easy to read book with practical considerations of how to be a true follower of Christ as we go about the daily duties and responsibilities of our daily lives. truly, "a gem of a book"