The Wisdom of His Compassion

by Joseph F. Girzone

Doubleday 220p. $21.95

The author of 18 previous books—notably the “Joshua” series—Rev. Joseph E. Girzone is a highly regarded spiritual writer and guide. We’ve chosen his brand new book as February’s pick because it is ideally suited for Lenten reading. It consists of 44 chapter-meditations on a particular Scriptural passage, including many familiar parables, following the life (and ministry) of Jesus chronologically.

Girzone is a graceful writer whose words seem to flow effortlessly from his pen. That is likely due to his having spent many years speaking about, contemplating and writing about a Jesus to whom people easily gravitate, a “partner” who is with us throughout all life’s events. His book brings the teachings of Jesus into our world today: the boardroom, the classroom, the courtroom and so on. It covers a wide range of themes: compassion, forgiveness, humility, love, authority, success and failure, and pride, among them. And the chapter titles are enticing. Here is a sampling: “A Young Jesus Comes of Age”; “Want to Please God? Be a Child”; “Would You Hug a Leper?”; “The Excommunicated Holy Man”; “Violence…Breeds Nightmares”; “Seeing Is not Believing.” What is constant about Jesus’ love for his creatures, as the author’s reflections make abundantly clear (to anyone in need of reminding), is an unfailing concern, a reaching out to all in pain. He never gives up on the sinner; he wants to heal. The Wisdom of His Compassion is an insightful, engaging and provocative book. Girzone writes:

        The whole world seems to crave what Jesus has to give,
        and when Jesus is presented to them people can’t get
          enough. They don’t want to learn about the teachings of
        a church or an institution. They want to meet the real
        Jesus [Girzone speaks from experience] and learn what
        He is really like…. If we try to substitute the doctrines
        of an institution we are then teaching them the medium
        of the message and not the message.

Open its pages. Dip in. You will not be disappointed. Your Lenten experience will be enriched.

Purchase The Wisdom of His Compassion: Meditations on the Words and Actions of Jesus width= from amazon.com.

This article appears in March 2 2009.