Synopses & Reviews
Peace is God's gift to us, expressed fully in the person of Jesus Christ. It is the scent of Jasmine" - the pleasing odor of a life offered as a sacrifice in love.The Scent of Jasmine encourages us to lay claim to Christ's promise of peace, to make each day an experience of God and an experience of the gift of peace. A practical book, it gives facts, raises questions, and blends the liturgical cycle (contemporary devotions, saints, feast days, and sacraments) with the "secular" cycle of civic observances and recurring yearly events (school days, weddings, graduations). This linking of faith and daily life makes The Scent of Jasmine an ideal tool for al who take the gospel seriously, especially teachers, directors of adult education, and those involved in RCIA. When we learn to forgive our enemy, feed our brother, clothe our sister, and shelter our children, we will be living peace as our Christian responsibility and receiving peace as God's gift.
The twelve chapters mirror the twelve months of the year, and focus on key solemnities and modern events - such as the pro-life movement, the assassination of archbishop Oscar Romero, and the bombing of Nagasaki - that urgently remind us of the need for harmony. Quarterly introductions provide a seasonal summary. Short questions for reflection are useful for peace action and faith groups, as well as for individual readers, to help put ideas into action.
Patricia McCarthy, CND, has worked with the poor in the field of education, particularly with abused children, for more than twenty-five years. She has studied the theology and spirituality of Christian nonviolence, and gives courses and lectures on the topic to students, adult education classes, parish groups, and religious communities throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Japan. Her articles have been published inReview for Religious, The Spiritual Life, Momentum,and many diocesan papers."
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The author's passion for peace is irresistible.Prairie Messenger
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This book challenges us to live our Christian nonviolence daily, in the knowledge that God's constant presence and grace make all things possible.Mairead Corrigan McGuire
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In this book . . . there is wholesome nourishment to sustain and encourage all pilgrims on their journey home to the gentle God's embrace. . . . Books end up on shelves. On your spiritual journey I recommend this book be packed in your knapsack.Father Martin Jenco
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This is a book for everyone. It guides us toward that contemplation to which every follower of Christ is called; not the contemplation of the religious in a hermitage but that of the ordinary person in daily life. It reminds us of the quiet yet passionate action of the Spirit within each of us impelling us to a life of more intimate union with God, a life of nonviolence and of peace.Bishop Charles Buswell
About the Author
Patricia McCarthy, CND, is a teacher, lecturer, and retreat director on the theology and spirituality of Christian nonviolence. She is the author of The Scent of Jasmine: Reflections on Peace for Everyday Life, and Of Passion and Folly: A Scriptural Foundation for Peace published by The Liturgical Press.