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The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource for Personal Prayer Paperback – April 1, 2011

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Fr John Bartunek (Author)
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4.9 out of 5 stars 120 customer reviews
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Product Details

  • Paperback: 1024 pages
  • Publisher: Catholic Spiritual Direction; First Edition edition (April 1, 2011)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1933271108
  • ISBN-13: 978-1933271101
  • Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.4 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (120 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #484,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsSimply the Best of the Better
By Rhett Brotherton on August 30, 2007
Format: Paperback
The path to holiness is not a primrose path. It is a daily battle, a daily carrying of the cross. Prayer, especially in the form of intimate daily conversations with Christ is sadly one of the most neglected weapons available to us in this battle.

The Better Part equips Christians with the resources they need to, "set of into the deep" to enter into a personal, intimate conversation with Christ. Father Bartunek Begins his book with a short prayer primer, an exposition of the basics of Christian prayer that is worth the price of the book by itself. The rest of the book contains guided meditations on the Gospels with a liberal sprinkling of quotes from the Doctors and Fathers of the Church. The book contains the entire text off all four Gospels taken from the Jerusalem Bible (an excellent and very approachable translation). Each unit is meant as a stepping off point. While reading and reflecting on each unit would be of great benefit to anyone, using them as a starting point for your own conversation with Christ is the ultimate goal.

These meditations are not of the fluffy, vague, feel-good variety that has sadly become too common these days. Father Bartunek offers deep and meaningful meditations from four aspects of our relationship with Christ: Christ the Lord, Christ the Teacher, Christ the Friend, and Christ in my life. By using the principles of concentration, consideration, conversation and commitment, each meditation should lead one to an experience of Christ's presence and a firm, concrete commitment to better imitate him.

The price of the book is not cheap, but neither is the book itself. The paper and binding is of the highest quality, meant to stand up to daily handling for years.Read more ›
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5.0 out of 5 starsskeptical at first, now I use this daily
By Carl Brown on September 5, 2008
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
I had lots of excuses as to why I wasn't going to like this. (why list them all?)

After reading the introduction on *how* to do a meditation, and after learning that a meditation is NOT spiritual reading, I decided to give it a try.

Not only are the meditation guides among the best (if not THE best) I've ever come across, the book is laid out in very helpful ways. Gospel readings are numbered and a handy table helps you find the gospel reading of the day. Verse numbers are omitted (again, I thought I wouldn't like that, but I do). Ribbon bookmark is included (and hard to lose). Flaps open up to help with the outline for a meditation (concentrate, consider, converse, commit)

So- what more can I say? I've used this every week now for 4 weeks and I see myself continuing to use it every day- indefinitely.
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5.0 out of 5 starsA Daily Teacher of Prayer
By Patricia L. Bailey on September 21, 2007
Format: Paperback
Written in Fr. Bartunek's practical, readable style, The Better Part brings the practice of mental prayer within reach in two ways: first, introducing the reader to a simple step-by-step methodology for meditating on the Gospel; and second, by providing a total of 303 meditations based on distinct Gospel passages.

In other words, Father Bartunek teaches us how to fish and then gives us the fishing rod and the bait, all in one book.

Each meditation is about three pages long and looks at a specific Gospel passage from four points of view: Christ the Lord, Christ the Teacher, Christ the Friend, and Christ in My Life. Each subsection has its own specific purpose:

* The "Christ the Lord" sections help the reader to see Christ as the Lord and Master, and as a model for our own attitudes and actions.
* The "Christ the Teacher" sections give solid Catholic doctrine to enlighten the mind with lessons drawn from the Gospel passage at hand.
* The "Christ the Friend" sections give a more intimate, affective perspective on Christ, looking at him not through the mind or will alone, but through the heart.
* The subsections entitled "Christ in My Life" take
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5.0 out of 5 starsTo know the heart of God through the word of God--St. Gregory the Great
By Book Glutton on March 8, 2011
Format: Paperback Verified Purchase
This is a book of what is called structured meditation. Even more, I believe it is written in the style of what is called "Lectio Divina." Over and above all the other benefits you will find within, it is a book to help us to pray--to pray well--to pray with Sacred Scripture. It is easily summarized by citing St. Gregory the Great, that the objective of this practice is "to know the heart of God through the word of God." If you have never done it, this book is a great place to start.

About this type of prayer, Pope Benedict XVI, mentioned it in his September 16, 2005 address, saying, "I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n. 25). If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church--I am convinced of it--a new spiritual springtime."

Later, writing about St, Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Pope Benedict said, "Ambrose ... learned to study and comment on the Bible from the works of Origen, the undisputed master of the school of Alexandria. In this way, Ambrose brought to the Latin environment the practice of meditating on Scriptures initiated by Origen, beginning the practice of "lectio divina" in the West.Read more ›
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

A great go to book for understanding and inspiration

Published 7 days ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Excellent work

Published 13 days ago by scrapmania
5.0 out of 5 starsBought this for my son after it was recommended by his spiritual...

Bought this for my son after it was recommended by his spiritual adviser, and he absolutely loves it. Read more

Published 19 days ago by Lidia F.
5.0 out of 5 starsgreat companion book for years to come

I love the breadth & depth of Father's thought & experience expressed in comprehensible language on every page.

Published 2 months ago by Amazon Customer
3.0 out of 5 starsThree Stars

Long read

Published 2 months ago by Charles McDonald
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Perfect for morning meditations! Thank you Father Bartunek:)

Published 3 months ago by House of Lee
4.0 out of 5 starsI find the book 'The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource a great...

I find the book 'The Better Part: A Christ-Centered Resource a great aid for reflection and a guide to deeper spiritual growth.

Published 3 months ago by Dorothy Duncan
4.0 out of 5 starsThe condition was great. Thanks

Enjoying the book so far. The condition was great. Thanks

Published 5 months ago by Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 starsA wonderful way to learn scripture and have a deeper understanding ...

A wonderful way to learn scripture and have a deeper understanding of what Christ is trying to share with us. You will grow deeper in your faith through this. Read more

Published 5 months ago by Andrew Quest
5.0 out of 5 starsFive Stars

Very pleased with this book

Published 5 months ago by Amazon Customer

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