Forgotten Among the Lilies: Learning to Love Beyond Our Fears

This is a wonderful little book of short, easy to read essays which encourage us to find a deeper relationship with the God Who is Love. Fr. Rolheiser encourages us to step away from the cultural madness of a Western society which has lost any ability to think beyond the dollar sign and the idea of personal comfort at all cost. He urges us to take God's love seriously and stop to experience not only a deeper level of relationship with God, but a deeper level of living out that relationship in both appreciating the world around us and living Christ's love to that world and those in it who need that love.The only unfortunate point in this otherwise fine book is that Fr. Rolheiser, like Richard Rohr and others of the liberal Catholic bent, cannot help himself but to use his writing to stump for women's ordination in the Catholic Church. For this reason alone I was unable to give it the full five stars it would have gotten if Fr. Rolheiser had been able to restrain himself from beating the dead horse of women's ordination. I find his attitude strange inasmuch as in the book, in the chapter SOCIAL JUSTICE AND CONTEMPLATION, he admits that one of the problems with liberalism is that liberals are not pious people. Then he goes and commits an act of impiety (rebellion against the Church). Sheeeeeeeeesh!!! Go figure!!For the first two thirds of the book, his liberalism was a well kept secret to me. But towards the end, it comes to full bloom with this paragraph which opens the chapter ALIVE WITH PROPHETIC PAINI HAD A LENGTHY TALK WITH A FRIEND OF MINE WHO IS A CATHOLIC FEMINIST. ARTICULATE AND NOT AFRAID TO EXPRESS HER ANGER, SHE TALKED OPENLY ABOUT HER PAIN. SHE IS FRUSTRATED WITH INEQUALITY IN THE CHURCH, FRUSTRATED THAT SHE CAN NEVER BE ORDAINED. THE TEARS FLOWED FREELY, SHE WANTED TO LEAVE THE CHURCH SHE HAD GROWN UP IN, BUT SOMETHING HELD HER BACK.One wonders if Fr. Rolheiser counseled this young woman at all regarding the numerous covenantal, anthropomorphic, and thological reasons that a woman simply cannot be a priest. Doubt it. Most likely he commisserated with her, agreeing that the Church is an organization of eklessiastical bullies who have no regards for her deepest needs.Oh well! :-(Otherwise, a fine book with many chapters that should set you to thinking about how one should properly live out one's Catholic Faith in the decadence of the West.Just be wary of the liberal landmines in it!Ed

This was my first book ever written by Father Ronald Rolheiser. This book lead me to several other spiritual readings. It made me think! I do not see eye to eye with some of Father's statements. I do respect his views. He and I come from very different backgrounds. I believe he is greatly influenced by his upbringing in an ultra conservative, very devout Roman Catholic family.

I bought this book to be apart of a "book Club". We are meeting once a month and discuss one chapter a month. We are meeting to discuss Chapter one the end of April. Rolheiser's writing is very humane and honest. Always getting started (first chapter) is just a beginning. I am sure I will be very satisfied with this book.Janice

Ron Rolheiser,OMI, was the first instructor from whom I took a graduate course at Seattle University in the Theology program.He has a wonderful gift for distilling large amounts of spiritual teachings gained over the centuries and giving it back in acompelling manner. This book's chapter are 3-4 pages each. The book is like taking a deep breath in and then out and feeling renewed.He gives a spiritual perspective for the modern day seeker of God. You are guided and encouraged to go deeper in your prayers and in everydayliving.

Rohlheiser brings us some of the freshest insights into the ethics, psychology, theology, and sociology of the modern era. As one seeks to enter what Fr. Richard Rohr has labeled "the second half of life," one can't help but question anything and everything one has been taught about navigating one's spiritual journey from birth on. I can confidently assert that this little volume serves up knocks-your-socks-off wisdom that entertains as it instructs. Just the right strategy to aid readers of all persuasions.

I have practiced my Christian religion all my life, but I liked this book so much because it made me stop and think about so many things I have let slide in my life as I became older and involved in many things. It was just what I needed to get back on track and travel in my beliefs a little more secure.

I am not sure how I found this book, but I am glad I did. I am probably going to have to read it a couple of times. There is no way I can really comprehend fully alot of the ideas in this book. I also see now I need to purchase a dictionary. I will defenitley purchase book for gifts-

I enjoyed the book, not as much as I thought I would but it was good.

Slight damage to outer book spine, negligible overall

good book

It is a collection of essays which I hadn't realized before, but I love the content up till now, still haven't finished it.

Thanks

Everything and more, than I expected and hoped for!