This classic work of Christian spirituality emboldens modern readers to see God’s care and concern for them in the joys and challenges of everyday life. Jean-Pierre de Caussade, a French Jesuit spiritual director and writer born in the late seventeenth century, is best known for his belief in the sacredness of the present moment, or the "eternal now." His masterpiece, Abandonment to Divine Providence, has been celebrated by spiritual writers as diverse as Richard Foster and Alan Watts for its ability to invoke the mystery of eternity in the now--a tenet of spirituality that resonates across faith traditions. Accompanied by the probing, expert commentary of Dennis Billy, CSsR, this exemplary edition of de Caussade's Abandonment offers newcomers to mysticism and spiritual direction a clear, compelling path to entering into God's presence.
This surprisingly modern, twelfth-century classic has long been popular with monks. Now this new edition opens up the riches of this spiritual masterpiece to a wide audience of contemporary readers who see the spiritual life not as a solitary enterprise, but one intimately connected to relationships. Written in dialogue form, Spiritual Friendship offers wise counsel on many aspects of friendship. Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R., editor of the innovative Classics with Commentary series, has once again provided readers with an invaluable introduction and background. The popular translation by M. Eugenia Laker is complemented by Billy's helpful commentary and thoughtful reflection questions.
Luke's account of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus has an amazing power to inspire us today, just as it has given life to every generation of Christians. How do we understand that encounter on the road, and how can we be open to its message? How can it help us deepen our prayer life and understanding of Scripture so that we can grow closer to Jesus? How can it help us open our eyes to our liturgical encounter with Jesus and to all the ways he reveals himself to us each day? Finally, how might meeting Jesus on the road to Emmaus energize us to share Jesus' message with other believers and with the world? Here, in this insightful and prayer-provoking new book, Father Dennis Billy invites us to join the two disciples on the way to Emmaus and experience for ourselves the power of the Risen Lord. Meeting Jesus on the Road to Emmaus will lead you to a greater awareness of how Jesus accompanies you in every moment of your life. It is an excellent companion to guide us all on the path of true and vibrant discipleship.
Father Dennis Billy, a Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province, taught for more than twenty yearsat the Alphonsian Academy of Romes Pontifical Lateran University, reaching the rank of full (ordinary) professor. He is now scholar-in residence and holder of the John Cardinal Krol Chair of Moral Theology at St. Charles Borromeo Semnary in Overbrook, Pennsylvania. Father Billy is the author of numerous theological and spiritual books.
One of the best-loved spiritual classics of all time is now more accessible than ever. While many contemporary readers seek the richness of classical spirituality, some find the language and thought patterns of The Imitation of Christ distant and difficult to understand. Fr. Dennis Billy, noted teacher and spiritual guide, helps today's readers interpret The Imitation by raising their awareness of how the world of Thomas à Kempis colored and shaped his presentation of the spiritual life. Using the accessible translation of The Imitation of Christ by William Creasy, Fr. Billy highlights how today's Christians can interpret and apply The Imitation to their own spiritual journeys. Each chapter is preceded by a brief introduction and followed by a set of thoughtful reflection questions that help readers understand and apply the text.
Diamonds are beautiful and precious gems. The gift of a diamond says something about the beauty one person sees in another. In Eucharist: Exploring the Diamond of Our Faith, Dennis Billy meditates on the various facts of the Eucharist described in the writings of the New Testament. Jesus left the mysterious gift of the Eucharist to his disciples as a precious diamond because of the hidden beauty he saw in their hearts. In turn they became keenly aware of the intimate connection between the breaking of the bread of life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In an engaging style Fr. Dennis Billy looks with the eyes of faith at the significant passages on the Eucharist in the four gospels, Acts, and the letters of Paul. He guides readers in delving more deeply into the meaning of these passages, to appreciate more fully the tremendous gift of the Eucharist and its meaning for our lives. Reflection questions at the end of each chapter help readers personalize the content of this book. Eucharist: Exploring the Diamond of Our Faith is an excellent resource for individual and group mediation and study, as well as a reference for catechists, teachers, RCIA leaders, and anyone involved in faith formation.
Fr. Dennis J. Billy, CSsR, is professor emeritus of the history of moral theology and Christian spirituality at the Alphonsian Academy of the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome and currently serves as the Karl Rahner Professor of Catholic Theology at the Graduate Theological Foundation in Mishawaka, IN. An American Redemptorist of the Baltimore Province, Fr. Billy has advanced degrees from Harvard University, the Pontifical University of St. Thomas (Angelicum), and the Graduate Theological Foundation. The author of numerous books and articles on a variety of religious topics, he is also active in his order's retreat apostolate and in the ministry of spiritual direction.
Many Christians who want to impact the world mistakenly assume that influence belongs only to the ministry front-man-not to the next tier of leaders and unseen servants. But the life of T. W. Wilson proves otherwise. As Billy Graham's closest friend and longtime personal assistant, T. W. Wilson turned his own valuable leadership skills to the task of supporting Billy and ended up influencing thousands of lives both directly and indirectly. His life is an inspiring testimony to the power of "next-level" servanthood to maximize the power of the church for the twenty-first century. Filled with interviews and stories from many of Billy Graham's associates and eight pages of photographs, this book offers a fascinating look inside the most successful evangelistic ministry of modern times as well as an inspiring blueprint for purposeful servant-leadership.
This book focuses on Jesus, the four last things, and their relevance for our lives. He has much to teach us about these things. Jesus faced death with courage and was raised to new life by the power of his heavenly Father. He descended into hell and reached out to those who had alienated themselves from God. He promised to return at the consummation of time to judge the living and the dead and to establish the fullness of his kingdom. He lives forever in the house of his Father, hoping to draw all people to himself and make all things new. The book reminds us that, for Jesus, the four last things are just a prelude to the first things. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He teaches us to put last things first and first things last.
Preaching was close to the heart of Saint Alphonsus because he knew that preachers could stir up in people a deep love for God. In Simple, Heartfelt Words, Father Billy uses letters and other writings from the doctor of the Church to discuss Alphonsus's most important ideas on preaching. He also presents Alphonsus's critique of preachers in his day and the approach to preaching he intended for members of his order. Simple, Heartfelt Words is the third volume in Alphonsian spirituality by Dennis Billy, C.Ss.R. It completes his series on the spiritual aspects of the Alphonsian heritage.
This second edition of Living in the Gap is prompted by the Church’s celebration throughout 2015 of a Year for Consecrated Life to mark both the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the 50th anniversary of Perfectae Caritatis, “The Decree on the Adaptation and Renewal of Religious Life.” The book wishes to raise awareness of the importance of the vocation to the consecrated life in the life of Church and to help religious in their efforts towards the new evangelization. The challenge before religious today and before all those called to evangelical counsels of chastity, poverty, and obedience is to do their best to narrow the gap between vision and reality. The question they should be asking themselves is not whether the gap between vision and reality exists in their lives, but whether it is getting larger or smaller.
This series of reflections is intended to promote a deeper experience of God through attention to a variety of spiritual sources, including the author's own experience of the Divine. A unique, path-breaking approach to Christian spirituality that invites and moves readers to reflect on their relationships with God.
Through this collection of memorable short stories of Dennis Labriola’s life, the objective of Seventh-Inning Stretch is to entertain and trigger similar memories in the reader. This is a faith-based book with an intentional slant towards men and biblical manhood. Through the Dennis’ often-humorous storytelling, Seventh-Inning Stretch hopes to create an emotional response from the reader then offers biblical anecdotes to inspire the reader to acknowledge and appreciate the people God placed in their own life. This is not so much a teaching work, but is meant to be entertaining, with an Afterthought after each chapter pointing to a biblical precept. Seventh-Inning Stretch is unique in that it is a collection of short stories, making it easy to read stirring and inspiring the memories and emotions—and hopefully faith—of the reader. It also connects Dennis’ story with God’s story, demonstrating how deeply God cares about and walks with everyone, even if unaware.
Father Billy's powerful reflections on faith in the life of the disciple of Christ, with accompanying reflection questions, can be an excellent vehicle for prayer and study groups, RCIA programmes, and ongoing faith formation for adults.
Here is a tale of the old New Mexico territory, corrupt lawmen, honest ranchers, murder, betrayal, and the explosive events of the Lincoln County War that sent young Billy off seeking justice--and headed toward a bloody rendezvous with a sheriff hired to track him down.
This book retells the narrative of Christ's redemptive journey by looking at some of the Gospel's underlying assumptions and showing how they are both reasonable and credible. For Christians, faith is not contrary to reason, but presupposes and even builds on it. This faith asks us to put aside whatever preconceptions we may have regarding the Gospel message and listen with an open heart to the way it speaks to the universal human condition. The seed of hope buried deep within the mythologies of old is nothing but a faint reflection of God's dream for his creation. For Christians, this dream has entered the arena of history in the person of Jesus Christ, the New Adam, who sheds light on our human condition by "making all things new" (Rev 21:5).
The Vatican II documents remind us that the spiritual journey is not made in a vacuum, that God has chosen to save us, not individually, but as The People of God. The Eucharist must help Christians to make their choices by discerning out of Christ's paschal mystery. For this process to take place, however, Christians must first understand how the Eucharist puts them in touch with Christ's passion, death, and resurrection, and what concrete implications being in touch with this mystery has for their daily lives. In The Way Of Mystery, James Keating and Dennis Billy examine the Eucharistic mystery to uncover its significance for Christian life today. They seek to discover what implications the simple act of breaking bread together has for the concrete decisions Christians make. And they point out how, if Christian worship is to enliven the believing community, it must help the faithful to integrate the spiritual and moral dimensions of their lives by leading them to embrace the attitudes and values embraced by Christ. The book is intended for an educated lay audience. It is also idea for adult continuing education classes, as a text for undergraduate courses seeking to integrate faith and the moral life.
This book examines the central elements of Francis’ vision of the Church as it sets out to preach the gospel to people of every nation and every walk of life. In four chapters, it examines the heart of his message and the focus of his vision for the future of Catholicism, Christianity, and the world. Central to that vision is his call to continue the new evangelization. He writes: “Each individual Christian and every community is called to be an instrument of God for the liberation and promotion of the poor, and for enabling them to be fully a part of society” (EG 187). The pope admits that neither he nor the Church has “a monopoly on the interpretation of social realities or the proposal of solutions to contemporary problems” (EG 184). He wishes, however, to contribute some constructive insights concerning our present situation. For Pope Francis, the joy of the gospel is simple: God wishes to live in our hearts. When we let God do so his Spirit dwells there, purging our imperfections and slowly divinizing us so that as free and faithful disciples we follow the way of the Lord Jesus.
This book examines what some of the most prominent voices of Christianity's distant past have taught about the Eucharist including Ambrose, Basil the Great, Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, Jerome, and Augustine of Hippo. A title for the Year of the Priest, this book examines what some of the most prominent voices of Christianity's distant past have taught about the Eucharist. The author's goal is to look at how the proponents of an emerging Christian orthodoxy understood, celebrated, and presented the Eucharist in the centuries immediately following the end of the apostolic era. Father Billy has made a monumental contribution to the popularization of the Church Fathers at a time in the life of the religious community when being reminded of tradition is vital for the perpetuity of the faith. By a careful, sensitive, and thoroughly readable exposure to the original texts of the Fathers, this book provides the faith community and the individual with a very useful resource of the Church's teaching about the Eucharist. If ever a time was right for such a reintroduction of the Fathers' teachings, now is unquestionably the time. John H. Morgan, Ph.D. President, Graduate Theological Foundation Dennis Billy has done a masterful job of exposing us to almost 600 years of Christian belief on the Eucharist as reflected in the Fathers of the Church. He reminds us that this living faith of the dead is part of our heritage, something that we ignore only at our peril and loss. His writing is clear, practical, and his treatment of each Father consistent. He helps us to see how each writer adds to the mosaic and richness of our Eucharistic faith. Especially helpful are the reflection questions that end each chapter, as these force readers to plumb the depth of their own understanding and faith, and to examine how the Eucharist affects the whole of their Christian lives. I recommend it highly. Paul Bernier, SSS Editor, Emmanuel Magazine
This book highlights some of the major theological voices from the past century who contributed to a deepening of the Church's understanding of the significance of the Eucharist and whose efforts came to fruition in the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. Each of the authors treated within these pages has a distinct voice that blends with the other voices of the Church's rich theological tradition. The result is a beautifully nuanced harmony of meanings that challenges the mind and moves the heart to wonder.
Using the concept of "deep heaven," an image borrowed from C. S. Lewis's popular work of Christian fantasy The Great Divorce, the basic christological truths of the faith are considered in the context of human happiness. Six important aspects of Jesus' redeeming actions from the Apostles' Creed are examined: his incarnation, passion and death, descent into hell, resurrection, ascension, and second coming. Each chapter concludes with a series of reflection questions and meditative prayers to assist the reader in uncovering practical applications for his or her life and relationship with God."--BOOK JACKET.
Invites readers to delve more deeply into passages on the Eucharist found in the four gospels, Acts, and the letters of Paul. Helps individuals and groups to more fully appreciate the tremendous gift of the Eucharist and its meaning in their lives, Includes questions for reflection and/or discussion.
Finding Our Way to God offers an approach to spiritual direction using mental prayer that can be used to create healing and peace when conducting guidance sessions with seekers. Based on the teachings of St. Alphonsus Liguori, the founder of the Redemptorists, Fr. Dennis Billy's approach examines the moral life in the context of spiritual direction. While thoroughly Catholic, St. Alphonsus was so pastoral -- focusing on the poor and marginalized -- that the approach can be easily learned and used by adherents of other religious, philosophical, and ethical traditions. In Finding Our Way to God, Fr. Dennis Billy: Teaches active listening, which is essential for spiritual directors. Emphasizes the continuity between a person's spirituality and morality through growth in the virtues and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Provides an understanding of how the model of spiritual direction can be adapted to meet the needs of a wide variety of people. Helps the reader use Alphonsian spirituality as a backdrop for conducting spiritual direction.
A collection of short, lively and often amusing essays on various problem and mysteries about children’s literature, raising serious as well as light-hearted issues which will appeal to the general readers as well as the scholar.
In this book Dennis Billy guides us out of the dark valley of hopelessness and traverses with us across the desert places of our souls in search of truth and innocence.
In this companion volume to The Beauty of the Eucharist, Father Dennis Billy examines the eucharistic teaching and contribution of twenty-six saints and mystics from the church's past. Some taught with conviction from pulpit or classroom. Others showed a pastor's concern for hungering souls. Still others searched the mystical depths of the sacrament and the everlasting union with God it foreshadows. Lastly, voices from more recent times have urged us to see in the Eucharist a powerful force for social change and personal transformation, for compassion and peace. Together, these form a moving chorus of insight and spirituality which is helpful to all who are seeking a deeper grasp of the incredible riches of the mysterium fidei.
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