Jennifer Holden reviews ‘Doing Christianity’
‘Doing Christianity’ throws a warm and revealing light onto Jesus’ ways of being fully human. His joy, vulnerability, loving kindness, compassion and his ready forgiveness of all those condemned and cast aside by society are so clearly presented to us in this book.
I found the nine, short, well-written steps of the pilgrimage deeply grounded in Jesus’ ways of ‘being’ in relationship with God and with all those around him. It brought me back to the essence of Jesus’ Gospel of loving, inclusive kindness and forgiveness. Each step of this pilgrimage is simple, practical, encouraging and touched with gentle humour.
I was delighted to discover that the sources and inspiration for the book include Richard Rohr, Daniel O’Leary, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, St Ignatius and other free, contemplative spirits.
The book quotes John of the Cross’s tender words about our relationship with God ‘In the first place it should be known that if a person is seeking God, His Beloved is seeking him much more’. These words touched me deeply with the reality of the tender, passionate relationship our Beloved longs to have with each of us.
I would recommend this book to all those longing to take time out of a busy life to ‘be’ in ‘right relationship’ with themselves, with God and with those around them. I would recommend it to those longing to take time out to walk with Christ, without any pretence and with the courage to be their true selves in his presence. I would also recommend it to those who have been ‘damaged by religion’ in the past and who long to find freedom from the heavy burden of guilt and shame they may still be carrying.
‘Doing Christanity’ by Paul Higginson available here