Max on Life

 I have read a few books by Max Lucado. I enjoy his simple, straightforward and often humorous manner of writing. This book continues my enjoyment of Max' insights. It is a collection of his responses to letters he has received over time. This makes it easy to read a minute or two if you're pressed for time, or longer periods when you can tackle a series of topics. The topics, coming as they do from real people, feel real themselves. While I might not be worried about "Does God allow war?" I might be interested in a reflection on what to do when "groups in a Church compete and bicker and fight." The point is, whether you agree with his answers, he makes you think about a lot of good questions: questions that are on people's minds.

In Constant Prayer, by Robert Benson

When I first became aware of the book, I was attracted to what I thought it was going to be about. I had thought it would be an exhortation and advice on the concept of praying always, as St. Paul urges. I had hoped that it would inspire me to redouble my efforts and perhaps help me learn new ways and means to pray. Make it an even greater part of my everyday life. Take time from my schedule for my relationship with God. Instead, the book is about the Liturgy of the Hours, or Divine Office. I have prayed the Office for years, although mainly Morning Prayer and only on occasion. I do love the rhythm that The Office offers, and the fact that it opens up the Psalms to be prayed when I might not otherwise pay attention to them. And then there is the discipline. Benson offers a quote from a friend: "the three greatest obstacles to the spiritual life are inertia, amnesia and manana." The Office, done in community, gives greater motivation to be faithful to prayer, similar to how the Anonymous groups keep a recovering person the support and structure s/he needs to keep on his/her journey. I know I need to be similarly supported on my journey. So, even though the book was not what I was anticipating, this does not take away from its value. It makes a strong case, from anecdotes from various people's lives, about the value of the Office, and pleads (softly) for the reader to consider joining a community to pray. It is light reading, and made me rethink my commitment to the community with whom I infrequently pray.