The book entitled, A Radical Love a Path of Light – The Beauty and Burden of Religious Life is a book written by Fr. Joe Mannath SDB. This is a simple, straight-forward book on religious life without hiding any facts and presents challenges faced by religious today. Hence, the approach is down to earth and sincere and thought provoking. No mask has been drawn to cover up, but the author paints religious life as seen in the world today. The book is good for personal reflection and enrichment. This is also a good book in the hand of formators and those who are involved in spiritual direction. Definitely this book will also find enough resources for conferences, talks on religious topics, and resources for group building. Indeed, this book will throw light on what religious life is all about. The canvas of religious life drawn by many may vary, but the author of this book draws the picture of religious life as seen, observed and studied. It is the real religious life that one can see, in flesh and blood! Even a casual perusal will reveal that God wants to learn from the past and make necessary amendments for future of religious life. The founders of various congregations fashioned the religious life as they visualized it, but today we need to live in the present-day context with its challenges. We need to live it today! The stories that are narrated almost on every page is about true situations, which will compel every reader to go through the pages after pages without getting bored or suffocated. I have read it more than once and admired the presentation and direct approach. Definitely, it can help anyone to have a glimpse of the radical love behind our commitment and make our religious life an inspiration for many. It is said that “today the leaders are watched more than listened to.” Dear reader, you are being watched! What are you waiting for, preach with your life and action!
Having met Sr Inigo in person, working together as co-workers during our service in ‘Prison Ministry India’ and listening to her talks during seminars and meetings I have personally experienced the spiritual strength and conviction by which she interacts with various groups of people, creating an impact in their lives. She ‘walks the talk’ even before she presents to the audience. The one who listens to her or reads her book remain unyielding. She has the ability to set the hearts on fire and awaken us over again to the Spirit within so to enable one to make a ‘U’ turn in the personal life. The book titled “Consecrated Life – Called to Move Beyond” a captivating book, authored by Sr Inigo SSA, published by Pauline Publications is ‘The Book’, every religious need to read, be challenged and dare to live an authentic Christian consecrated life. The book is rich with Biblical references, pregnant with rich experiences of life, deep in reflections, unique in title contents and affluent with significant questions which invites one for systematic soul searching. The affirming and effective words of Pope Francis are reflected in the pages of the book.
Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interest and concerns there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. It is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the spirit which has its source in the heart of the Risen Christ.
Renewed encounter with God’s love, which blossoms into an enriching friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self absorption. We become fully human, when become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being. In a world of bewilderment, consumerism, technology and media, where the absence of a vibrant spirituality can be sensed, and the vast majority are cocooned in comfort zones of security; there is a beacon call to cultivate deeply religious values like simplicity, hospitality, silence, a sense of sacredness, contemplation, process of openness of mind and heart, willingness, consciously being aware of the happenings, freedom to improve on the relationship and giving space for the growth and make them indigenous expressions of consecrated life. This can be cultivated through three Cs. Contemplation, Creativity and Courage, by reflecting on the realities, by being committed, by being rooted HERE and NOW and gain a deeper experience of God which can bring change and bear witness by living a life of higher goals. A word of gratitude to CRI Dimapur for giving a chance to re-think, re-read, re-reflect and re-live the moments I spent with great personality
CRI of Dimapur Zone (CRIDimapur) 