Customer Reviews

The Way to Christ: Spiritual Exercises

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a wonderful book. It is unclear from the title, but the content of the book came as retreats for University students in Poland given by John Paul II when he was bishop (and cardinal) in Cracow. The talks are so down to earth and personal. I love theology also, but the simple message to everyday students really touches the heart more profoundly. A particular strong point is the two short chapters given to female, then male students. The way John Paul II upholds the dignity of women is amazing. The way he tells young men from scripture that our problems are summed up as: "male arrogance, scant willingness to give, and the spirit of conquest," shows how he hits home in a concrete way. He also addresses abortion and the man's role in abortion with no compromise. The whole book is hard hitting and direct.

Among the many accomplishments of the man known to the world as Pope John Paul II, his role as a teacher is probably the least trumpeted, but perhaps among the farthest-reaching of his talents. He has worked to shape the theological and spiritual direction, not only of Roman Catholics, but for Christians generally, and even beyond the borders of Christian thought. He was able to accomplish this was some integrity because he did not take syncretist approaches, nor did he shrink from stating very clearly what he himself believed.

This book derives from times he spent as a teacher of students; taking place before he was elevated to the papacy, these essays and lecture/conversations show a depth of thinking in Christian thought.

'It is significant in an age where it would seem the whole destiny of the person and of his existence must be guided and directed from outside,' he said, as he looked for the image of God that is contained in each of us. We are created in the divine image, and that image is reflected in our very being. Every human being has this image. If we deny this image and the relationship with God which it sets up, then we risk the fragmentation of our lives into a lot of external problems.

Humanity tends to ignore both its gift and its obligation in regard to being created in the divine image; the way of Christ is the way we are called to live this image into its fullness, the Pope advocated.

This is a good book for those who seek spiritual renewal; it could also be used as a guide of sorts for spiritual direction and retreats, both on an individual and more communal level.

The book is a written record of a conversational presentation of two retreats John Paul II gave 10 years apart before he became pope. Unlike formal books, it is easy to understand and very relevant to our times and very useful. It gives a flavor of theologically where he is coming from.

This book presents retreat talks for university students by Karol Wojty³a while he was still a cardinal. He doesn't speak as a pope but as an ordinary person and at the same time a great spiritual master. His words are very clear and lucid, even comonsensical but at the same time his message and vision is very deep. He appeals to our deepest yearnings and spiritual intuitions. I'm not a Catholic but a Buddhist but I really recommend this book to everybody as the author's vision seems to embrace all human beings no matter what their faith is.

John Paul's words moved me, touched me, and inspired me to live closer to Christ. A man so filled with God's spirit is impossible to ignore and John Paul clearly shows us the way to spiritual intimacy and peace. An extraordinary little book!

Knowledge is superb,and easy to learn from Pope John Paul the Second. He says that anyone can learn to pray and that everyone knows how to pray. People should not place themselves down in case they say they don't know. In a couple of minutes one can learn (to Pray to Jesus Christ). Prayer is recommended for one daily. One needs to Pray in order to be at Peace with oneself, as well as with Christ. We follow the commandments, we pray for ourselves, for the poor,repent of our Sins, pray for the sick children, the dead, and to Jesus Christ(most Importantly)-so we can have Salvation. It is through the Son that one will get to the Father. Like i said, very valuable knowledge. Yes! This book is highly recommended.

**another book i recommend to you is "How to avoid Hell" by Friar Schouppe."

OK--you have to read this book because it has radical, fresh insights into the forward-thinking mind of JPII. These Spiritual Exercises were given to university students--a ministry wherein JPII had much pastoral expertise. Amazing quotes on prayer, ecumenism, etc. SANTO SUBITO!

My husband ordered this book and said that he liked it a lot but found it hard to follow at times. He attributes this more to the interpreter. My husband said you almost need a dictionary at times to follow it.

Pope John Paul just died today, and it is a loss for millions of people. But his words live on in books that he wrote. His words touched lives and will continue to do so long after his death and passage to heaven. God bless this dear man!

A good book about a great man. Yet, it fell short of my expectations - as I expected much more from a man who had risen to tne papacy. One might want to consider the other side of the `John Paul Coin' - Albino Luciani or John Paul I - the valiant champion of human dignity for women, orphans, the remarried, homosexuals and others whose everyday lives are scorned by doctrine. Unlike his successor who was taught from an early age not to question the authority of his ancestors, Albino received his commission to rise to the papacy and bring change to the Church at the age of twelve from his revolutionary activist papa. Two good men - yet, two very different men - two very different sides of the same coin, John Paul II the conservative side and John Paul I the liberal side. I would suggest a look-see at Lucien Gregoire's PAUPER WHO WOULD BE POPE.