Friends of God

Just a short little note to encourage those who are trying to establish balance in their lives -- this book is very helpful. Fr. Escriva reminds us that we can be friends with God and do what He wishes us to do without necessarily having to be in a monastic order or "full time service." There are ample opportunities for service in the lives of every man and woman if we are simply looking for them. The book is small and easily readable. I highly recommend it.

An excellent base to think about oneself, to know oneself better. It helps you to pray. It learns ways to be a better person, how to be deeply happy. I think the book is also an opportunity: Do I want to make a new friend, God?

This book was life changing for me. The book contains 18 homilies given by Jose Maria Escriva. The homilies address the Christian vocation and the importance of building a personal relationship with Christ through prayer. The book is simple, with clear examples that are geared towards the ordinary worker/family member living in the world, trying to achieve holiness.

I was first introduced to St. Josemaria Escriva through his many quotes in the "In Conversation with God" series. St. Josemaria was obviously a very meditative priest and he also had the ability to portray his spiritual discoveries to others. He has a very direct manner in presenting his topics. There is so much material to think and pray about and I find it can often be just one sentence that really strikes a chord in my soul. I have never been disappointed with this Saint's writings.

Many good, well-meaning Catholics seem a bit bewildered, tentative, and floundering. One good place to look for a remedy is this book of homilies by St. Josemaría Escrivá, the founder of Opus Dei. The homilies are more like talks at a retreat or day of recollection. They are blunt and passionate. They are earthy and practical. They challenge us to commit to become saints: to put our claimed beliefs where our mouths are. This book is an enthusiastic invitation to dare to be Catholic. We seem to have, at least in the U.S., too many Catholics who seem to drift here and there without much urgency about the Gospel. This book may stop the drift.