Nina and I found a hard copy of ‘Crossing the Threshold of Hope’ about a week or so ago at Books for Less in SM Mall of Asia. It was a bargain to get it at a little less then P 400 and before buying it, Nina wanted my assurance that I would be reading it. I bought a book, which I read when I’m away – Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay. i haven’t finished reading it. it’s been with me since 2005, i think… so now you know why my wife wanted a sense of assurance that we’re really investing in something I’ll actually use.
I said I would read it and yes, i’ve started reading it a few days ago.
It brings me back to the days of the World Youth Day 1995, when I too was at the threshold – graduating from highschool and entering college – and when John Paul the Great was here in Manila. His constant call to ‘be not afraid’ still echoes in my heart. And this is a constant message even in his book.
It has reminded me of how John Paul is really a great servant and teacher of the Faith. There is a sense of clarity in his words, yet you’ll be surprised at the level of depth at the topic he is discussing.
I’ve only managed to read through 2 chapters and am in the middle of half of the third. Already, he has talked about the Papacy – how it is a ‘contradiction’ to most just as Christ was when he was on earth – and of prayer – that it is the Spirit within us who yearns to pray and that man has been appointed to the priesthood of all creation in Christ.
Such profound insights which opens up your mind to the true meaning of the Christian Faith, the dignity of man, and the ever-presence of God.
His writing style begins with the exhortation of the Spirit, in Christ, and then aptly relates the words to men and men’s hearts.
I dare not interpret his words in the book, but here are some quotes that struck me when I was going over them:
“We begin to pray, believing that it is our own initiative that compels us to do so. Instead, we learn that it is always God’s initiative within us, just as Saint Paul has written*. This initiative restores in us our true humanity; it restores in us our unique dignity. Yes, we are brought into the higher dignity of the children of God who are the hope of all creation.” -p.17
“Prayer is always an opus gloriae (a work, a labor, of glory). Man is the priest of all creation. Christ conferred upon him this dignity and vocation. Creation completes its opus gloriae both by being what it is and by its duty to become what should be.” -p.18
“Creation was given and entrusted to humankind as a duty, representing not a source of suffering but the foundation of a creative existence in the world. A person who believes in the essential goodness of all creation is capable of discovering all the secrets of creation, in order to perfect continually the work assigned to him by God.” -pp.20-21
* “The Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings” -Romans 8:26
- Crossing the Threshold of Hope, Pope John Paul II, Edited by Vittorio Messori, Published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1994
>> I’m glad we bought this book. When Matt comes of age, I want him to discover this book. Hopefully, it will inspire him and guide him in life. We only hope his generation will also have great Teachers of the Faith. <<
been watching too many Playhouse Disney shows with young Matthew.
