Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word: Meditations on the Gospel According to St. Matthew (Volume 2)

this is not your typical commentary on "context" and historical background. very personal/spiritual application

This is one of a set of 3 commentaries on the Gospel of Matthew. The best I have ever read. Writer has a Greek father and Cuban mother and opens up the Gospel of Matthew like none other. He can do an entire chapter on one verse. I keep them by my bed to help me with lectio divina when I am meditating on the the Gospel. He is coming out with the volume of the Passion. I cannot wait. I have been giving these as gifts to everyone I love.

This author Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis (Brother Simeon Leiva-Merikakis is a Trappist Priest) was my roommate at St. Joseph's Seminary, Peterborough, NH. As soon as all three volumes were available, I purchased them for my library. Also when my son entered studies for ordination I also purchased them for his library and reading. These three books are a valued part of my library and are excellent reading for all who have a passion to uncover the depth of Matthew the Apostle and author of this Gospel. They are excellent and I was very pleased that the price was such that I could make both purchases. Thanks to Amazon.com!

You will never look at the Gospel of Matthew in the same way. This is an amazing commentary and can only be the fruit of a labor of love by Brother Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis. These beautiful meditations offer something for the everyday reader of scripture as well as scholars and theologians, combining the best of biblical scholarship and lectio divina. The best way to describe my reaction to Fire of Mercy are the words of the prophet Jeremiah, "Thy words were found and I ate them, and thy words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart." (Jer 15:16). I can't wait for Volume 3 to be released later this year.

This is not a book to read quickly; this is a book to read slowly and lovingly. Leiva-Merikakis has an amazing ability to dig into the words of Matthew's gospel and pull out details and connections and movements that seem blindingly obvious in retrospective but which I had never even glimpsed despite having read and studied Matthew many times. This book is the fruit of long experience with lectio divine, and a good aid to learning to see Christ in his word.

This is a very detailed devotional commentary on St. Matthew's Gospel. It is the second in the author's series on Matthew. The first is on Matthew 1-11, this one covers chapters 12-18. The third is, I hope forthcoming. This is a commentary to meditate on, more than to get technical details from (though technical details - especially linguistic ones - are plentiful in it). I especially appreciated the linguistic insights and references from the Church Fathers. It is a very enjoyable read.

Great resource for understanding the Scriptures. Great as a go to book for further exploration of the Gospel ofMatthew. God bless. Grace and Charity

Absolutely amazing. I've never encountered such a richly spiritual commentary, which was at the same time as line-by-line thorough. Excellent for preparing homilies and sermons, as well as encountering the Lord more deeply in the Scriptures.A must have for priests and deacons.

Profound writer