God of Surprises

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Although not recommended by the author I did read straight through it without doing the exercises at the end of each chapter. The Final Chapter applies the insights of the book to a very real situation- the threat of nuclear war. That wherever there is love, joy, and peace, that is where God is, regardless of your background and beliefs.

I think that Gerard Hughes' railing against the church in which he serves, a little intriguing as I wonder what else he would have done. It's a great book for people who dismiss spirituality out of hand because of prominent religious extremists and lumping most of the world in with them. Embracing mystical styles of reflection and prayer such as Ignatian contemplative prayer, he encourages the reader to identify and counter whatever desires are not oriented towards God.The 2022 edition of this evergreen classic comes with a new foreword written by Margaret Silf and is presented in paperback with a contemporary cover design and French flaps. I'm sure some of the more conservative Catholics would say he is way off, but, well, he's a priest too and views like his will do a lot more to help people and the Church.

I had a Christian education (Anglican, not Roman Catholic)but Christianity never really 'caught' for me. I was particularly taken with a simple yet profound definition of sin - the refusal to let God be God in my life. I am now going to work my way through more slowly looking up the scriptural passages as well as the exercises. But he is careful to define that treasure as experienced unity with Christ, a goal any Christian ought to hold.In this chapter the author expresses his inner feelings regarding nuclear war and beautifully presents the Christian approach to nuclear weaponry and warfare.