The Forge

It took my breath away, and my peace. I had to find more literature from this author and when I did It changed my life.

This is a great little book to pick up when you need a short, but thought-provoking reflection. I am a big fan of St. Josemaria, and he has an uncanny ability to get right to the point and give you food for thought at the same time. He has a very direct way of speaking and writing which I truly appreciate. You can pick this book up and flip to any page you want to read a concise paragraph of instruction from a great saint!

This is one of three great little books by Josemaria Escriva's The Way, Furrow and The Forge. Each of these three volumes are collections of thoughts, pense's musings and meditations. They can be read from beginning to end or randomly opened and read just as you find them. Some of the reflections will require more thought and work then others. Some examples that particularly grabbed my attention are: "Each day be conscious of your duty to e a saint. A saint! And that doesn't mean doing strange things. It means a daily struggle in the interior life and in heroically fulfilling your duty right through to the end." #60 "Make an effort to respond at each moment to what God is asking of you: have the will to love him with deeds. They may be little deeds, but do not leave any out." #82 "To die is a good thing. How can anyone with faith be, at the same time, afraid to die? But as long as the Lord wants to keep you here on earth, it would be cowardice for you to want to die. You must live, live and suffer and work for Love: that is your task." #1037 Each of these three little books will help you grow deeper in the Christian life. They will challenge you every time you pick them up and read. I have gotten to the point that I always carry one of them with me, and while waiting for a ride, or before class, or in any spare moment open it and read, and through that reading I pray. Through that prayer I hope to become a better Christian and a better person.

This is one of three books Bl. Josemaria Escriva wrote that contain short spiritual counsels. Each counsel is concise and insightful. Bl. Josemaria reaches to root of what troubles us spiritually, and challenges us to conform our life to God's plan for our life. He also teaches us that every little thing we do in our life -- work, sport, leisure -- can be done well for the greater glory of God, and offered as prayer. This presented an important spiritual awakening for me, since before reading this book I tended to compartmentalize my prayer life. What is also unique about this book is that the insights are broken down into short sentences. The longest insight is no more than two paragraphs. Thus this book can be carried around with ease, and meditated upon during a spare minute or two during the day. I don't know any Catholic who has read this book and not become more fervent in their faith.