mdewit's review against another edition
5.0
Venier argues that human hearts are liberated from loneliness by acting on our innate sense of belonging by embracing the weakness of others. Loneliness drives towards closer union with God or towards fear, depression, apathy and a loss of trust. The passage of life suggests that the tension between recurring order and chaos creates insecurity and loneliness. In order itself are the seeds of change, something we can choose to help evolve by seeking truth and meaning or resist in our rigidity. Making sense of a changing world underscores the necessity for community or an innate need in our hearts to belong to a group to find truth together and to be part of something much bigger. In such a context fear closes down, and love opens up. Love transforms, opens our hearts and set us on a path of healing that sees the gifts in all people, thereby discovering our common humanity. The fear of maintaining our own order against different people or the fear of our own failures starts to dissipate. We realize that the weak and downtrodden have gifts to offer as well, but opening our hearts in communion to them means to be vulnerable. It remains a choice to treat people as people, stemming from a heart matured in love and trusting in God. To be able to maintain this we need to be free from our compulsive needs for success, to be powerful, to be approved of and also free from past hurts that cut us of from others. Emerging from self-centeredness is a painful process, often accompanied by symptoms of grief and feelings of inner-emptiness. It is the death of our false selves, pushed forward by the liberating force of God’s love. Finding freedom from inner hurts is a process of forgiveness by which we start to accept and love those who have hurt us. The inner power of the Spirit can transform our hearts of stone, give us courage to forgive and be forgiven. In this sense we transcend our humanity and become truly human – created in the image of God.
hannahcpk's review against another edition
“We are simply human beings, enfolded in weakness and in hope, called together to change our world one heart at a time.”
This is a commentary, a philosophical/spiritual commentary, on the state of the human condition including loneliness, belonging, freedom, and forgiveness. The Author is someone who dedicated his life to caring for the intellectually disabled in France, inspired and carried forward by the word of God and His love for all.
No rating because while I appreciate and agree with all that was talked about, it was difficult for me to finish because of the way it was written. Written more like running thoughts and beliefs of an individual instead of following a particular theme, there was no direction. This is not to say it is not a good or valuable book.
Recommended for those who want to not learn, but to have exposure into the heart and thoughts of a man who committed himself into living a life of love and exploration of Christ.
This is a commentary, a philosophical/spiritual commentary, on the state of the human condition including loneliness, belonging, freedom, and forgiveness. The Author is someone who dedicated his life to caring for the intellectually disabled in France, inspired and carried forward by the word of God and His love for all.
No rating because while I appreciate and agree with all that was talked about, it was difficult for me to finish because of the way it was written. Written more like running thoughts and beliefs of an individual instead of following a particular theme, there was no direction. This is not to say it is not a good or valuable book.
Recommended for those who want to not learn, but to have exposure into the heart and thoughts of a man who committed himself into living a life of love and exploration of Christ.
slithicesama's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book that I will reread every year so that I'm able to soak in every words written here. This has been truly eye opening.
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