Showing results by author "A.M.O." in All Categories

The instant New York Times best seller. In the summer of 1989, a Baton Rouge neighborhood best known for cookouts on sweltering summer afternoons, cauldrons of spicy crawfish, and passionate football fandom, is rocked by a violent crime when 15-year-old Lindy Simpson - free spirit, track star, and belle of the block - is attacked late one evening near her home. As the dark side of this idyllic stretch of Southern suburbia is revealed, the close-knit neighborhood is irreversibly transformed.

In The Synoptic Gospels: A Bible Study on Matthew, Mark, and Luke, a comprehensive audio course, Fr. William Burton, OFM, breaks down the first three gospels for an astute audience. Carefully situating each in its historical and cultural context, Fr. Burton gives you fresh insights into the similarities and differences across their accounts of Jesus's life and ministry. Under his guidance, you will dissect the chronology and authorship of the gospels,the religious milieus in which the evangelists wrote, and issues of translation over time.

Rohr reprises his best-selling talks on scripture in this powerful new series. He describes the Bible as a text in travail, containing not just conclusions, but a process that mirrors our own journey (three steps forward, two steps backward). In the three steps forward, Scripture always reveals that we are related to something infinite and that ours is an enchanted and trustworthy universe.

Franciscan Murray Bodo illuminates seven key teachings from St. Francis and tells us how these teachings are the foundation for Franciscan spirituality today. Beginning with the wonder of the incarnation, he moves through the paradox of evangelical poverty, living the Gospel, repairing God's house, making peace, the recognition that we are one with all of creation, and the joy and humble service of God. All of these teachings have their roots and destination in the love of God that surrounds all of creation and each individual person.

In 1972, a young Franciscan friar named Murray Bodo wrote a unique book about the life of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis: The Journey and the Dream offered people a unique combination of lyrical prose and brief, absorbing vignettes that inspired hundreds of thousands of people all over the world to contemplate the life of the famous saint and see him in a new way. Fifty years and over 200,000 copies later, this book still captivates people everywhere, and Fr. Bodo is still writing about St. Francis and the Franciscan way of life.

Franciscan priest Richard Rohr feels that there is no more challenging spiritual issue than the “problem of the self". Most of contemporary spiritual teaching, he believes, is still trying to inspire and fortify the private self, the autonomous "I". Even much church work is trying to evangelize and sacramentalize what many would call "the false self." Basic transformation is not expected, but merely a new set of beliefs and practices or loyal membership in a new group.

Two internationally known spiritual guides explore integrating our inner and outer journeys. They challenge us to confront our inner and social violence and bring it to healing and transformation in a sacred and ecumenical context. Rohr and Keating each give insights on awakening to God's friendship, coming to know God and ourselves, growing in love through centering prayer, facing evil around us and our demons within us as well as opening our deep selves to divine therapy which heals our wounds.

All of us encounter valleys on our journey with the Lord—those periods of spiritual desolation that are a painful yet unavoidable feature of our prayer life. Spiritual desolation is as complex as we are, so understanding what is happening and responding to it properly are critical to reaching the heights of holiness. With warmth and understanding, Fr. Gallagher carefully identifies in this book the various forms of spiritual and nonspiritual desolation and supplies the remedy for each.

In this retreat experience, Richard Rohr explores the role of men in society and religion. Father Rohr focuses on the yearning to rediscover passion in masculine identity and in the purpose of life. He uses archetypes (symbolic images) to transmit his powerful message about male spirituality and integration. He challenges listeners to encounter their archetype (king, warrior, magician, or lover), recognize its dark side, and empower their journey through drumming, dialogue, and discovery.

Richard Rohr addresses one of the most vital questions for new and lifelong Catholics. Rohr draws on his own prayer, study and preaching experiences throughout the world to ask "What is good about being Catholic?" This series invites listeners to explore the breadth and depth of their faith. "Most Catholics are not Catholic/catholic enough," says Rohr. Addresses both the shortcomings and strengths of the Catholic Christian tradition.

Richard Rohr focuses on finding God in the depths of silence. Divine silence is more than the absence of noise; it has a life of its own. We are invited into its living presence to find the wholeness of being and peace it brings. This book will inspire you and show that the peace of contemplation is not something just for monks, mystics, and those divorced from the worries of the world, but rather for all people who can quiet their own mind to listen in the silence.

Both Rohr and D'Arcy believe that much personal and church confusion could be helped by clearly distinguishing the tasks of the two halves of life. Much of institutional religion is concerned with the tasks of the first half of life. The need for adults is to move onto the tasks of the second half of life, which are much closer to the concerns of Jesus, Buddha and the mystics of all religions.

A universal pattern can be found in all societies and in fact in all of creation. We see it in the seasons of the year; the stories of Scripture; the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus; the rise and fall of civilizations; and even in our own lives. In this new version of one of his earlier books, Father Richard Rohr illuminates the way understanding and embracing this pattern can give us hope in difficult times and the courage to push through messiness and even great chaos to find a new way of being in the world.

American churches are experiencing a power shortage, declare the authors of Living Your Strengths. "People aren't harnessing the power of their innate gifts." Does this message sound familiar? Have you felt disconnected from your church lately? Are you not attending as much? Or maybe you're a passionate member who wants to become even more involved, and you would also like to inspire others.

Father Raniero Cantalamessa offers pastoral advice and leads the listener through passages of Scripture and the Fathers of the Church to remind us of the incalculable power of the Spirit available to us. This spiritual "intoxication" is an infilling through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, and the action of God that purifies us of sin, renews the heart, and enlightens the mind.

Pedram Shojai, O.M.D., New York Times best-selling author of The Urban Monk, shares his time-tested system for managing your Life Garden through 100-day gongs. Originating from ancient traditions and with a framework refined throughout Shojai's 15-plus years of coaching, this 100-day system provides a foundation for: managing your expectations for your time now versus your time to come, allocating the time you have in order to get more, finding the balance between doing versus being, and more!

Speaking at a day of prayer, Richard Rohr says, “Advent is not about a sentimental waiting for the baby Jesus.” He asks listeners to focus expectations and anticipation on “the adult Christ, the cosmic Christ,” the Lord who challenges us to empty ourselves, to lose ourselves, to surrender. This is the Jesus whom we invite to come into our hearts at Christmas and throughout our lives.

What would you do if you knew your life's potential? That's the question facing the residents of Deerfield, Louisiana, when the DNAMIX machine appears in their local grocery store. It's nothing to look at, really—it resembles a plain photo booth. But its promise is amazing: With just a quick swab of your cheek and two dollars, the device claims to use the science of DNA to tell you your life's potential. With enough credibility to make the townspeople curious, soon the former teachers, nurses, and shopkeepers of Deerfield are abruptly changing course to pursue their destinies.

A newly revised edition of Richard Rohr's perennial bestseller, this book reflects and incorporates his years of experience with men's work as well as changes in society. A new foreword from Belden C. Lane emphasizes the need for this work to continue.

With heart-warming reassurance, Friar Jack reminds us that God's goodness is reflected in the whole family of creation. We can be confident that our beloved animal companions will be waiting for us at the pearly gates with wagging tails, soft purrs, and enthusiastic welcomes.