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This timely book brings together the stories of St Francis - his preaching to birds, rejection of wealth, caring for lepers, befriending animals and living simply, his poetry and hymnody in praise of creation that is still sung today - and the influential writings and examples of inspiring Franciscans who have followed him such as Clare, Bonaventure, Duns Scotus and Angela of Foligno, and draws them into conversation with contemporary concerns for our planet. It gathers 800 years of accumulated wisdom and practical examples of how Franciscans have found ways to live at home and at peace with creation. It explores that long tradition and experience to ask what lessons can be drawn for today to challenge and enable readers to re-visit their own relationship with creation.
Many are familiar with the Orthodox ‘Jesus prayer’, but there is much more to discover about its tradition of contemplation as a grounding both for the interior spiritual life, and for compassionate action in the world. The author, an Anglican Franciscan friar and theologian, reflects on the wealth of Orthodox spirituality through the teachings of its key figures and texts: · Evagrius of Pontus (345 – 399) One of the first Orthodox theologians and desert father. · John of Sinai (c. 579 – 649) Abbot and writer of the highly influential The Ladder of Divine Ascent. · Isaac of Syria (7th century) A much-loved hermit · Maximos the Confessor (580 – 662) A philosopher, theologian, martyr and teacher. · Symeon the New Theologian (949 – 1022) A monastic reformer, with deep mystical experiences of God’s radiant light. · Gregory Palamas (1296 – 1359) A theologian, monk, and teacher of practice of silent prayer. The aim is to enable readers to gain a sense of connection with the saints of Eastern Christianity as spiritual guides for today.
John-Francis Friendship spent twenty-five years as an Anglican Franciscan friar. Drawing on the whole breadth of monastic history and experience, he looks at core aspects of monastic and religious life and applies its practical wisdom for living well in today’s world. Chapters include: • Knowing your heart’s desire and pursuing it; • Counter-cultural living – the spirit of poverty, chastity and obedience; • Clothing yourself in Christ – getting into holy habits; • Living in community – how to get along together; • God in all things – seeing the whole world as divine; • For the sake of the kingdom – serving those in need; • Living with thanksgiving – shaping the eucharistic life. What Do You Seek? draws on spiritual wisdom accumulated over the centuries to offer inspiration and courage for living with integrity and hope today.
“Oneness” considers the role small-group monastic life plays within the life of the contemporary church. Using a focus on the life, practice and history of the Shepherds Law community as a starting point, the book broadens the discussion to consider the how such communities negotiate the boundary between the solitary life and life within their community. Contributions include: Sarah Foot on Northumbria’s long tradition Peta Dunstan on Monasticism in the 19th century Andrew Louth on the Skete George Guiver on the monastic sacrament in life, liturgy, saints and buildings Dom Xavier Perrin on Gregorian chant and monastic life Christopher Irvine and Ralph Pattison on the buildings of Shepherds Law in their context With an afterword by Rowan Williams
Franciscan spirituality, with its characteristic simplicity, joy, openness and welcome to all, compassionate action and love for creation - all undergirded by prayer and study, offers as compelling a vision for today’s world as when Francis of Assisi first responded to God’s call over 800 years ago. For all seeking inspiration for living the Franciscan charism today, this lively and informed guide introduces its key figures and essential writings. The author, an Anglican Franciscan friar and theologian, draws out the movement’s core teachings from its founding figures and its earliest texts: · Francis and the essence of prayer and reconciliation with all created things; · Clare of Assisi and contemplative practice; · Giles of Assisi, solitude, storytelling and spiritual direction; · Bonaventure, study and spiritual wisdom · Angela of Foligno and mystical experience; · Jacapone da Todi and praise in poetry and song. Intended as an introduction to living the Franciscan charism today, this also includes a reader’s guide with questions for personal or group discussion.
Bringing the skills of a literary historian to the subject, Brian Moloney considers the genesis of Saint Francis of Assisi's Canticle of Brother Sun to show how it works as a carefully composed work of art. The study examines the saint's life and times, the structure of the poem, the features of its style, and the range of its possible meanings.
Opportunities to enter a spiritual place are all around us, but we often don't recognise them. Pause - A Spiritual Power helps the reader identify those moments and enter places of spiritual pause. The spiritual life, often neglected, exists apart from our thoughts and feelings. Pause explores how spirituality is separate and how we often mistakenly substitute rational and emotional experiences for spiritual experience. To be spiritual is not to be religious or bound to a specific understanding of God. To be human is to have a spirit within, regardless of religious commitment or persuasion. Attending to one's spiritual life, finding pause, is not confined or defined by any one faith traditio...
Words for Today presents a lively, fresh and often adventurous approach to daily Bible reading. Writers are drawn from around the world and from different traditions, including Jewish as well as Christian biblical scholars, artists and poets, clergy and lay people, and members of religious orders.
This timely book brings together the stories of St Francis – his preaching to birds, rejection of wealth, caring for lepers, befriending animals and living simply, his poetry and hymnody in praise of creation that is still sung today – and the influential writings and examples of inspiring Franciscans who have followed him such as Clare, Bonaventure, Duns Scotus and Angela of Foligno, and draws them into conversation with contemporary concerns for our planet. It gathers 800 years of accumulated wisdom and practical examples of how Franciscans have found ways to live at home and at peace with creation. It explores that long tradition and experience to ask what lessons can be drawn for today to challenge and enable readers to re-visit their own relationship with creation.