The New American Bible for Catholics: With Revised New Testament and Revised Book of Psalms by Confraternity of Christian Doctrine
Book Reviews
Vatican Council II: Constitutions, Decrees, Declarations (Vatican Council II) (Vatican Council II)
Author:
Rating: 5
Review: A very enlightening book on the dogma and thought processes of the Roman Catholic Church. This is a must read for every Catholic person in the world, as well as every non-Catholic person of any religion! There is much in this book that I bet many "practicing" Catholics are not aware of. Please read, one and all!
The Electronic Christian: 105 Readings from Fulton J. Sheen.
Author: Fulton J. Sheen
Rating: 5
Review: Bishop Sheen laid out the Catholic Faith in a concise order that was easy to read and worth the reading. In this book, he took his "better" readings from his TV and radio shows and put them "in order" here for one to learn about Christ and the Catholic Church. Bishop Sheen's life in Christ and his teachings of Christ in the book are very well done. I highly recommend this book.
Augustine, Confessions
Author: Saint, Bishop of Hippo Augustine
Rating: 5
Review: First, this book is not for the light hearted. In reading it, one needs time, and patience.
Saint Augustine started his life with his mother's direction towards Christ, but as he grew up, he took himself down paths leading away from Christ. He allowed his body and mind to rule his life for many years. During this time, Jesus sent him many chances to change his ways, but he continued to investigate other paths.
His Mother persisted with God in prayer to allow her son to find and accept Him. Once Saint Augustine came to see the truth in God's Word, and was unable to find truth in his wanderings and searches prior to this, his life began to change for the better, but was still rough for him. His desire for the pleasures of the body remained with him, but he found through Christ the will to withstand those desires.
His interpretations of the Bible lead him to more questions within himself, which he turned to God to answer. In reading Book 12, chapters 30-32 of his confessions, he made a comment that opened up a light in my understanding of the Scriptures and other peoples understandings. In this section he makes comment that, and I paraphrase, what I read as true in a section of Scripture, someone else may read as true in a different light. Both of us are correct if it is true to God's will and meaning. I translated that for me as to listen to how other people read and translate the Scriptures and learn to incorporate their learning into my learning, and not to say their words are wrong and mine are right, but that both may be right from different angles.
Saint Augustine's life story shows us that everyone can be saved and brought to go through persistence and love.
Ok, now that Christmas is over, it is time to dig in and get back full force into my studies and future plans! I FINALLY finished the book on the Catholic Canon Law today when flying back from Ashland Kentucky, was visiting a good friend, and am back to reading the Vatican II letters/etc. I received a few books (many actually) on theology and philosophy, so my reading list will be growing in the next few days. Once I finish the current books on my “now reading” list, I will be going over my to read list, updating it, and working with my Spiritual Director on which one I should be reading and reporting on next… All list will be updated by the 6th of January.
Christmas was good to me this year, and I had an interesting week away. But it is definetly time to dig in!
As we near the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, I would like to wish each one of you a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Now I know that is not “politically” correct, but I don’t care. This past few weeks I have heard on many TV stations, radio stations and individuals saying how they do not like that it is not politically correct to say Merry Christmas. So they won’t say it. Bah Humbug to them. Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus. You don’t see people “boycotting” any other celebration based on faith… And I sure do see a lot of people with candy canes (which stand for the J in Jesus, and the red represents the blood he spilled for us, and the white the purity of Jesus), buying presents, and decorating. IF you support all of that, say Merry Christmas! If you don’t, don’t say Merry Christmas, but allow others to celebrate the day as their faith does!
For those of you that are not Christian and do not want to say Merry Christmas, I hope you are working on the 25th to allow those of us that do celebrate the birth of Christ to so celebrate!
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