A SMIDGEN OF RELIGION
A SMIDGEN OF RELIGION
Here's a brain dump of random words of wisdom that I've found to affirm the Catholic faith:
To learn more about Catholicism, here are my reviews of some religious books*.
*My thoughts on non-religious books are listed at: https://jessicahudak16.wixsite.com/assess-with-jess
Pocket Guide to Reconciliation
By: Fr. Mike and Fr. Josh
This pocket guide serves as a comforting reminder that no one is perfect — not even the saints! Confession is not something to be ashamed by; rather, it is a place of victory. This pocket guide gives several helpful analogies for understanding this (and it also gives various prayers and an examination of conscience).
Miracles Today
By: Craig S. Keener
This book provides a condensed, updated, less daunting, and more accessible version of his 2011 book (which has over 1,000 pages), Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts. It covers a wide variety of miracles from all over the world, and the in-depth bibliography in the back assures me that the author really did his research. However, it leaves out a lot of Catholic miracles (e.g., Fatima, Eucharistic miracles, etc.).
The Pilgrim's Progress
By: John Bunyan
This allegory illustrates the obstacles that we must overcome as we grow in our faith and strive for Heaven. The first half of the story was the most interesting, but then it seemed to drag on (maybe paralleling the tediousness of the journey itself?). I’m glad that I got the modern, easier-to-read version (by Alan Vermilye). Yet, it helped to follow along with the YouTube audiobook of John Bunyan’s original version.
Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves
By: Jason Evert
This book is hands-down the best biography that I have ever read. The book was well-written and well-organized (with the first half focusing on JP2’s life and the second half focusing on JP2’s five main passions). I learned so much about JP2’s character and all the obstacles that he overcame. Even if people aren’t called to become a priest or nun, we can all strive to follow his example (especially in terms of courage, faithfulness, generosity, and willingness to forgive others). The author sure did his research, as is evident with the thorough bibliography at the end.
Tattoos on the Heart
By: Gregory Boyle
Because I grew up in a suburb, I hadn’t thought much about gangs before. This story provided a concrete example of how one can make a meaningful impact on the world, and it’s interesting to directly compare the violence and judgments of gangs with the unconditional love of the Church. Not all of the anecdotes have direct lessons tied to them, but when combined, they give a comprehensive view on what the poorest part in LA looked like (and what many cities continue to look like). Rather than considering gang members as “nobody’s” or “monsters”, we should treat them with humanity and respect (especially when considering the intense challenges that they have gone through).
Everybody Always
By: Bob Goff
Because Bob is Christian but not Catholic, he explicitly mentions in this book that he doesn’t like structured prayers, that he goes to Church most Sundays but not all, and that he doesn’t believe that Church needs to be held in a traditional building (since the “Church” is wherever people are). Nevertheless, some of the short stories he shares show how we can apply Christian values to daily life.
Rome Sweet Home
By: Scott and Kimberly Hahn
This book covers the story of how Scott and Kimberly converted from Protestantism to Catholicism after marriage. Reading their testimonies helped solidify my decision to join St. Christopher’s and OSU’s Newman Center (after being involved with Cru/ H2O in college).
Seeds of the Word
By: Robert Barron
It was interesting to get help in viewing modern films, books, politics, and culture in general through spiritual lenses. However, I wish I was able to pick up on some more cultural references, and there were other movies/ books that I wish I could have heard his perspective on.
St. Fautina's Diary
(“DZIENNICZEK MIŁOSIERDZIE BOŻE W DUSZY MOJEJ”)
By: Faustyna Kowalska
Because St. Faustina’s Diary is long and repetitive, it can be difficult to read a lot in one sitting. Whether or not St. Faustina actually had visions, her diary has many gems of wisdom, and the Divine Mercy Image and Chaplet are additional gifts to the world. St. Faustina reminds us that no matter how much we’ve messed up, we can never run out of God’s mercy (as long as we properly open ourselves up to receive it). When I read something that stuck out to me in the English version, it was cool to cross-reference the exact original translation in the Polish version.
The Story of a Soul
By: Saint Thérèse of Lisieux
This autobiography is a bit dull, but I appreciate St. Therese’s dedication to prayer and her passion to enter the convent at just 15 years old (even though she faced many hardships, such as her mother dying when Therese was just 4 years old). However, this book showcases how you don’t have to be well-known or do grand gestures to make the world a better place.