Grace: On the Journey to God

by Michael Casey

Benedictine monastic spirituality has emerged as an antidote to the spiritual and cultural challenges facing people of faith today. In this book, the author focuses specifically on GRACE, and the benevolence of God as it expresses itself in many different ways along our spiritual journey. What is a person likely to experience when beginning to give up him or herself conscientiously to the spiritual journey?
In this beautiful guide, gradually, we come to realize that everything that happens in our lives is somehow the gift of our loving Father.

Every journey is ultimately individual. As Casey explains, what you hear within your own spirit is more significant than what he can say. But his aim is to help you listen to the voice of God in your heart.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Christian

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 17, 2018

Reviews

[Ed Parke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up at the gift shop when I was on retreat at Tarrawarra Abbey - where Fr Casey still lives. I see now why this monk, tucked away in the Yarra Valley, is recognised as an authority on prayer and spirituality in the Cistercian tradition.

His book has been a small revolution for me. It was just what I needed to read at this crossroads in life.

Do yourselves a favour and go spend a few days at the Tarrawarra guesthouse.

[Steven Tryon · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a lot more here than can be absorbed in one reading. It immediately went on my read-again list. Highly recommended.

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Grace: On the Journey to God
Michael Casey once again is a faithful guide for the journey we all are on to God. On the last page Casey writes; “There is a grace and energy; at work carrying us upward that does not stem from our own limited resources.” This energy/grace can be explored chapter by chapter. He reflects on discontinuity, desire, humanity, alternation, temptation, self-knowledge, petition, dedication, contemplation, faith, revelation, leisure, silence, community and communion. Reflecting deeply in the ways God engages us in all these aspects of our lives in order to guide us to our destiny in God.

[Vera · Rating 3 out of 5]

I took issue with his tone at times. The book is about graces, but frequently, Casey's voice implied that we are deficient, and we should do something to fix that deficiency, which is quite antithetical to the notion of grace. Yes, God's presence is a gift, but it's exactly that. We can position ourselves to hear from Him, but I would not recommend approaching God to satiate a guilt that we are not doing or being enough. Helpfully, this was addressed in chapter 9 on contemplative prayer.

He did well to emphasize that intimate presence with God is the peak of faith, more so than doing all the right things. I would recommend people approach this with an open mind, because not all the recommendations apply. Practice the habits that actually help, or take from it only what you need.