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PAGE 10 — The Georgia Bulletin, February 19, 1987 As CJoCj Alternatives For 40 Days BY RITA McINERNKY Suggestions for Lent are offered by Alternatives, a non-profit organization dedicated to making resources available to people who want to focus on the life and ministry of Jesus during the 40 days before Easter. Reflections on Scripture, family activities, a 40-day calendar are among the material offered in the Lenten - Study - Action Resource packet. The pamphlet on scripture passages was prepared by Milo Thornberry, director of Alternatives, Tom Peterson, editor of Seeds, a national magazine lor Christians concerned about hunger published in Atlanta, and Harriett Grissom, former editor of Alternatives. The text points out the need for fasting, resisting temptation, openness to others, awareness of injustice and need, overcoming skepticism, and the cost of discipleship. Family activities, written by Judy McMillan and Jan Adams-Williams, members of Oakhurst Baptist Church, suggests sessions once each week during Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday. These could in clude discussion on scripture passages and practic ing a discipline for Lent, either individual or family. Disciplines could include fasting one day each week, daily time for prayer and meditation, seeking out and spending time with someone different or from another generation. The 40-day calendar has practical suggestions for participating in the ministry of Jesus, ranging from abstaining from softdrinks and giving the money to hunger-related causes, learning about a Third World country, discussing what temptations keep us from serving the poor, and giving funds realized from small practices of discipleship to help charities assisted by individual parishes For information on ordering the Easter packet write or call Alternatives at P.O. Box 429, Ellenwood, Ga., 30049, (404) 961-0102. nTTH BOOKS FOR LENTEN READING Lent, with its call to turn aside from the distractions of the world, including hours spent sitting in front of the televi sion viewing programs of dubious value, is an appropriate time to renew or begin the nourishing practice of spiritual reading. To help readers with this Lenten activity, the Georgia Bulletin asked for suggestions of Lenten books, both new and not so new from Notre Dame Book Shop, Trinity Book Store and the book store at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers. These books were suggested by Elena de Give and Ann May at Notre Dame Book Shop, 5273-A Buford Highway, Atlanta: "The Serious Season: Meditations for Everyday Chris tians," by Rev. A. Swenson, Alba House, $7.95. Since Vatican Council II, Father Swenson notes, many "everyday Catholics view with a jaundiced eye the concept of Lent....“It becomes a cinder in the eye of our soul....so we look quickly away, straight ahead to Easter." He reminds us of our unchanging need for prayer, almsgiving and sacrifice, to escape the hypnotic gaze of the world and stare down the baleful eye of death." Those who feel the need for spiritual challenge, words of consolation or a new insight in to the Christian community will find these needs amply met with strong emphasis on prayer and preparation during this holy season. “Living the Richness of the Cross," Father John Dalrymple; Ave Maria Press. $3.95. In this book Father Dalrymple offers new insights into the central mysteries of Christianity, symbolized universally by the symbol of the cross of Christ. He reminds us that Christ's suffering is linked inextricably with our own...."more than an exemplary connection across his tory...it is an interior mystical union by which we live in Christ and Christ lives in us." The author calls us to the Gospel as a conscious “partner ship" with Christ, and challenges the reader to live the Paschal mystery in all areas of life: the global village, needed changes in both the world and the Church, interior growth and our relationships to each other as Christians. In unity and sharing with other Christians, the reader is called to suffering, prayer and action. “Day by Day through Lent: Reflections, Prayers, Prac tices," Daniel L. Lowery, C.SS.R., Ligouri Press, $3.95, and “Lent Begins at Home; Family Prayers and Activities," Pat and Rosemary Ryan, Ligouri Press, $1.50. Two stand bys from previous Lenten seasons, these popular books of fer practical ways to enter into the true spirit of Lent. Their pages offer rich reflections for each day as well as ideas and activities that bring out the true meaning of the season, leading us finally into the joyful celebration of Easter, “Everyman's Way of the Cross," Clarence Enzler, Ave Maria Press, .50 cents. This is the only adaptation of the centuries-old devotion that has been able to hold its own with the persistent use of the traditional versions. Its powerful word images remind us all the way through that we are called to be other Christs in sufferings encountered all through our lives. It has taken many years for this little book to be adopted by an increasing number of church groups and is a year round favorite for private devotions. “As I Take Christ: Daily Prayer and Reflection with Paul," Dodie Gust, Ave Maria Press. $4.95. Perhaps because Paul has been dubbed the Church's first theologian by numerous scholars, many of the books written about him have been somewhat inaccessible to the average reader Ms. Gust invites the reader on a journey with Paul, from his spiritual blindness at Damascus to his final acceptance of God as the One “who has blessed us with all spiritual bless ings of Heaven in Christ. ’ ’ The book may be used individual ly or as a scripture/prayer guide for group study. It pro vides valuable affirming insights and is ideal reading for Lent and throughout the year. Books recommended by Helen Donnelly of Trinity Book Store at Ignatius House, 6700 Riverside Drive, Atlanta, are: “Personal Way of the Cross," by Father Isaias Powers, 23rd Publications, $1.50. Each station invites readers into comparison of their own frustration and pain. “Behold the Beauty of the Lord: Praying with Icons," by Henri J. Nouwen, Ave Maria. $7.95. A good book to give as a gift. “Practical Spirituality for Lay People," by Dolores Leckey, Sheed and Ward, $6.95. Mrs. Leckey covers mar riage. family, liturgies and sacraments. “Believing," by Judith Bisignano. O.P., Sheed and Ward, $6.95. This book deals with faith sharing, prayer activities and reflections. “Finding Jesus," by Gerald O'Collins, S.J., Paulist Press, $3.95. Although not a new book, this is a good Lenten book and takes the reader through the 40 days with John's Gospel. “Joshua," by Father Joseph Girzone. Richelieu Court, $12 hard cover. This book has received excellent reviews and customers say how much they enjoyed it. ■an doei not hoe on bread alone From the book store at the monastery. Brother Edwin Ripp, O.C.S.O., suggests several titles: "APagea Day for Lent. ' by Barbara Sullivan. “Making More of Holy Week," and "The Laity Today and Tomorrow," by Edmund Flood; “The Just Demands of the Poor," by Marie August Neal; "Biblical Meditations for Lent," Carroll Stuhlmueller; "Jesus and Passover," by An thony Saldarini," A Way of t he Cross,'' by Tolbert McCarrdU, and “Coming Home," by Betsey Caprio and Thomas Hedberg. All of these books are from Paulist Press. “Julian of Norwich: Showings," Paulist Press, and “Revelations of Divine Love," both by Julian of Norwich. Doubleday, were mentioned by Brother Edwin. A Favorite Book Sharing God's Personal Message BY SISTER TONI KIVLAHAN, O.S.F. YOUR MOVE GOD, by Sister Francis Clare, S.S.N.D., The New Leaf Press (Box 1045, Harrison, Ark.) $4.50. Next to the Bible, the book I find myself picking up most frequently the past four years is “Your Move God.” Sister Francis Clare, who also wrote “Wow God," does not claim to be the author. She spent two months away from the human scene to hear and share what God spoke through her to the reader. The response to Sister’s questions comes from the heart and hand of Our Loving Father speaking to the heart and mind of his children—us! This is not a book to be read in one sitting, or even several sittings. I have found myself open ing it at random and receiving the personal message I need ed at that moment. The chapter I most frequented has been, “Let Go”—relying on the Father's words: “Yield your weakness to My strength, your fears to My love, your whole being to My eternal plan. I can only use a yielded vessel for My purposes. When you forget who I am and who you are you experience defeat, fear, confusion. Why fret and worry as though you did not have a Father? Why rely on your own resources when Mine are at your disposal?" Sister Francis Clare struggled with the Father's mission to share His message, His reply to her was: “My child, The words that I am giving to you are not just words to you but words for all My people. The work I am doing in you is not just a work that I would do in you alone but I would do it in all My people. I will complete in them what I am completing in you, I am their Father even as I am your Father. I have called you apart to receive this word, that you may proclaim it. "Your Move God” would be a good book to pick up and use during the Lenten Season. I highly recommend it for a short daily meditation, using a little section at a time for a blessed and happy Lenten Season! Sister Ki via hart serves the parish of St. Paul's in Cleveland. Ga. Prayer, Projects To Brighten Lent WHAT COLOR IS YOUR LENT? by Theresa Cot ter, St. Anthony Messenger Press, 68 pp., $3.95. Beyond the penitential purple many people associate with Lent is a spectrum of color relating to the church; the green of hope, rose of joy, blue of stewardship and justice and peace, the red of charity and fervor. The author believes that Lent, any year, can take on the color that reflects personal growth at that time. To know which color to choose, she recom mends seeking, with honesty and courage, the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Listen carefully, she says, because the Holy Spirit can speak through a spouse, children, parents, co-workers, employer, friends, physician, or the quiet voice of the inner self. Each section in this little easy-to-read book includes a reflection on the color and how it is linked to a Christian virtue. Take red, the vibrant primary color, the color of Pentecost which transformed His timid followers into bold proclaimers. It is not the color of the cautious or conservative, but of the brave Paul, the widow giving her mite to the Temple, of Stephen, the first martyr. It is the color of almsgiving — not from abundance but from substance; of involvement at the cost of pain. The chapters also contain brief Scripture excerpts, a sensitive prayer, and a long list of projects from which the reader might select one or several as Lenten practices. These projects are well-balanced between prayer and church going and involvements in such efforts as working for halfway houses, volunteering at shelters, and taking a stand against violence and sex on television. This book is recommended for everyone concerned with making this Lent a more spiritually rewarding time. Helping to do this are the two dozen formal prayers at the back of the book. -Rita Mclnerney
