Friends of God: Book Review

A collection of homilies covering the different (and I would say essential) aspects of the Christian life. In this volume, St.Josemaria shares his insights on how man can strive to achieve his ultimate goal of sanctity in the chapter "Towards Holiness". He outlines how one can develop a life of intense prayer filled with filial love for God in the chapter "Life of Prayer". Among the other topics are human virtues, the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, love for freedom, etc.

From Bishop Alvaro del Portillo's Introduction to the Book
"These eighteen homilies present a broad picture of the basic human and Christian virtues for all who wish to follow closely in the footsteps of our Lord…With Msgr. Escrivá de Balaguer words turn into a colloquy with God - prayer - but without ceasing to be a heartfelt conversation completely in tune with the concerns and hopes of his listeners. The homilies contain living doctrine and combine a theologian's depth with the evangelical clarity of a good shepherd of souls. They are, therefore, a lesson in doctrine and in Christian life in which God is not only spoken of but spoken to. Perhaps this is the secret of his great power of communication, because he is always speaking about the Love of God: looking at God without needing rest or feeling tired.

"Together with a great simplicity, there runs through all these writings the constant counterpoint of a passionate, expansive love. The path to sanctity that St. Josemaria invites us to take is paved with a deep respect for freedom. The Founder of Opus Dei relished those words of St Augustine where the great Bishop of Hippo stresses that God 'judged that his servants would be better if they served him freely.'"


See my list of suggested books.