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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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Book review
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Herbert O'Driscoll is a native of Ireland and an Anglican priest in Canada; he is well known for his workshops on preaching and spiritual life and is the author of many books. God with Us carries the subtitle 'The companionship of Jesus in the challenges of life.' This book certainly fulfils this aim! In his 'Beginnings' section the author says, 'This small book attempts to link events in the gospels with events in our daily lives, to find points of similarity and messages of hope.' The book is divided into eight sections, Beginnings, Community, Encounters, Vision, Transformation, Healing, Cost and New Life. Within these divisions are 33 short homily-like comments which carefully relate the scriptural references to the problems of life. One way of getting the most from the book could be to read one reflection each day and then to think through the implications, personalising them and turning them into prayer. It could also be used in a similar way for study groups. IncarnationI found that the way in which the author related some well-known passages in the gospels to daily living was helpful and stimulating, . There is always a danger that we major on the divinity of Jesus Christ at the expense of his humanity. O'Driscoll helps us to look behind the incarnation of Jesus, his problems as well as his determination and his relationship with his close disciples and others. There are many times when we need to identify with the dilemmas facing Jesus, his suffering and his emerging sense of mission. In its own small way the Church is called to extend this incarnation and reach out to a discordant and troubled world. I believe that this book will help us to appreciate the companionship of Jesus and the challenges of life. I found it to be helpful in working towards this end and I trust that you will find a similar benefit from reading and then prayerfully dwelling in its themes. |
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