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Lòng Thương Xót Đích Thực: Đức Maria, Sự Tha Thứ và Niềm Tín Thác
Đức Bênêđictô đã khôn khéo nhắc nhở: “Chúng ta phải tin vào quyền năng uy dũng nơi lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa. Tất cả chúng ta đều là tội nhân, nhưng ân sủng của Người sẽ cải hóa và biến đổi chúng ta”. Lời mời gọi đổi mới nhờ sức mạnh của tình yêu và lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa đã được gửi đến chúng ta trong thế kỷ qua. Ngang qua nhật ký của Thánh Nữ Faustina Kowalska, việc thiết lập Ngày Chúa Nhật Lòng Thương Xót Chúa bởi Thánh Giáo Hoàng Gioan Phaolô II đáng kính và việc Đức Phanxicô công bố Năm Thánh Lòng Thương Xót Chúa cho thấy một sự tiếp nối của chủ đề vốn vừa hiện đại vừa thiết yếu về mặt thiêng liêng: xa lánh tội lỗi, bám chặt vào lòng thương xót đầy yêu thương của Chúa, đồng thời, ở lại trong bình an mà chỉ mình Người mới có thể ban tặng. Ngay cả việc tái xuất hiện gần đây của lòng tôn sùng Đức Mẹ Undoer of Knots (Đức Mẹ Tháo Gỡ Nút Thắt), được Đức Phanxicô phổ biến, gợi lại cho chúng ta rằng, nhờ sự trợ giúp của Mẹ, lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa luôn luôn hoạt động: tha thứ xúc phạm, chữa lành vết thương, băng bó tâm hồn, cất đi gánh nặng chúng ta không thể tránh khỏi vì sự yếu đuối của mình.
Quả thế, Cha Philippe đào sâu vai trò của Đức Maria với tư cách là máng chuyển thông lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa. Ngài cho rằng, với tư cách là Đấng Trung Gian Mọi Ơn Lành của Thiên Chúa và là Đấng thấu hiểu Thiên Chúa thâm sâu nhất, Đức Maria có vai trò dẫu “thầm kín” nhưng lại sống động. Vai trò của Mẹ, dù mãi ở hậu trường, là tỏ bày lòng trắc ẩn của người mẹ cho con cái mình, và không gì làm Mẹ hạnh phúc hơn là thấy lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa được thông ban cũng như được đón nhận.
Và đây là chìa khóa: Vì sự tự do của mình, không phải chúng ta chỉ nhận ra lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa nhưng còn chấp nhận lòng thương xót đó nữa. Cha Philippe đào sâu việc chấp nhận (hay tín thác), bởi chúng ta thường rất thiếu lòng khiêm tốn, vị tha và sự phó dâng chính mình cho tình yêu Người. Đây là những cánh cửa dẫn đến dòng chảy thương xót vô ngần của Thiên Chúa.
Khi chúng ta ngày càng trở nên Con Dân của Lòng Thương Xót, chấp nhận ân sủng tuôn trào của Thiên Chúa và tỏ lòng thương xót của mình đối với tha nhân, thì bí tích Hòa Giải tiếp tục đóng vai trò trụ cột trong việc trao đổi tình yêu giữa Thiên Chúa và con người. Như Cha Philippe nói, “Mỗi khi Đức Giêsu nhìn chúng ta, Ngài giải thoát chúng ta, ban cho chúng ta một đời sống mới. Vậy hãy để Đức Giêsu nhìn chúng ta”. Xưng tội là một cuộc đối thoại thân tình giữa Thiên Chúa đầy yêu thương và con của Người. Trong suốt cuộc đối thoại đó, Người nhìn những chiếc đầu cúi xuống khẩn xin sự khiêm tốn và lòng tha thứ. Càng chấp nhận cái nhìn chữa lành của Người, chúng ta càng nhận biết và yêu mến Người hơn. Một quà tặng quý giá biết bao, khi không ai bị lãng quên hoặc bị đẩy vào chân tường của cuộc sống thường nhật!
Quyển sách này là một quà tặng. Chúng ta được Thiên Chúa mời gọi khám phá những chiều kích sâu thẳm nơi lòng thương xót của Người ngang qua sự khôn ngoan và cảm thức thiêng liêng sâu sắc của Cha Philippe. Vậy, hãy chấp nhận cái nhìn trìu mến của Chúa Giêsu vốn “mở ra cho chúng ta con đường sự sống”.
Quả thế, Cha Philippe đào sâu vai trò của Đức Maria với tư cách là máng chuyển thông lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa. Ngài cho rằng, với tư cách là Đấng Trung Gian Mọi Ơn Lành của Thiên Chúa và là Đấng thấu hiểu Thiên Chúa thâm sâu nhất, Đức Maria có vai trò dẫu “thầm kín” nhưng lại sống động. Vai trò của Mẹ, dù mãi ở hậu trường, là tỏ bày lòng trắc ẩn của người mẹ cho con cái mình, và không gì làm Mẹ hạnh phúc hơn là thấy lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa được thông ban cũng như được đón nhận.
Và đây là chìa khóa: Vì sự tự do của mình, không phải chúng ta chỉ nhận ra lòng thương xót của Thiên Chúa nhưng còn chấp nhận lòng thương xót đó nữa. Cha Philippe đào sâu việc chấp nhận (hay tín thác), bởi chúng ta thường rất thiếu lòng khiêm tốn, vị tha và sự phó dâng chính mình cho tình yêu Người. Đây là những cánh cửa dẫn đến dòng chảy thương xót vô ngần của Thiên Chúa.
Khi chúng ta ngày càng trở nên Con Dân của Lòng Thương Xót, chấp nhận ân sủng tuôn trào của Thiên Chúa và tỏ lòng thương xót của mình đối với tha nhân, thì bí tích Hòa Giải tiếp tục đóng vai trò trụ cột trong việc trao đổi tình yêu giữa Thiên Chúa và con người. Như Cha Philippe nói, “Mỗi khi Đức Giêsu nhìn chúng ta, Ngài giải thoát chúng ta, ban cho chúng ta một đời sống mới. Vậy hãy để Đức Giêsu nhìn chúng ta”. Xưng tội là một cuộc đối thoại thân tình giữa Thiên Chúa đầy yêu thương và con của Người. Trong suốt cuộc đối thoại đó, Người nhìn những chiếc đầu cúi xuống khẩn xin sự khiêm tốn và lòng tha thứ. Càng chấp nhận cái nhìn chữa lành của Người, chúng ta càng nhận biết và yêu mến Người hơn. Một quà tặng quý giá biết bao, khi không ai bị lãng quên hoặc bị đẩy vào chân tường của cuộc sống thường nhật!
Quyển sách này là một quà tặng. Chúng ta được Thiên Chúa mời gọi khám phá những chiều kích sâu thẳm nơi lòng thương xót của Người ngang qua sự khôn ngoan và cảm thức thiêng liêng sâu sắc của Cha Philippe. Vậy, hãy chấp nhận cái nhìn trìu mến của Chúa Giêsu vốn “mở ra cho chúng ta con đường sự sống”.
Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
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About the author
Jacques Philippe
72 books621 followersJacques Philippe was born into a Christian family on March 12, 1947 in Lorraine, France. After studying mathematics in college, he spent several years teaching and doing scientific research. In 1976, he met the then recently-founded Community of the Beatitudes and answered the Lord’s call to follow Him through this vocation (see below for more information on the Community of the Beatitudes). He then spent several years in Jerusalem and Nazareth immersing himself in the study of Hebrew and the Jewish roots of Christianity. In 1981, he traveled to Rome to study theology and canon law and also began his work as a spiritual director, working in the formation of priests and seminarians of the Community. In 1994, he returned to France, where he assumed various responsibilities including spiritual direction, the development of training in the Community, and participation in its General Council. He has also preached retreats regularly in France and abroad and has consolidated his principal retreat themes into five books on spirituality. In recent years, he has devoted himself primarily to spiritual direction, preaching retreats, and working for the development of the Community in Asia and Oceania, where he travels frequently.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 25, 2016
Another delightful read from Father Philippe. This book consists of collected homilies given on first three days of the Jubilee Year of Mercy:
MERCY & THE MOTHER OF GOD - December 8, 2015
MERCY & FORGIVENESS IN THE FAMILY - December 9, 2015
MERCY & TRUST IN ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX - December 10, 2015
It also includes quotes from St. Faustina's diary. As always, an uplifting and inspiring message from Fr. Philippe who I had the pleasure of meeting in person a year ago. I'll buy every book he puts out.
Although I enjoyed this very much, I have appreciated his other works more, probably because most of this about Mary, St. Thérèse and mercy wasn't new for me.
MERCY & THE MOTHER OF GOD - December 8, 2015
MERCY & FORGIVENESS IN THE FAMILY - December 9, 2015
MERCY & TRUST IN ST. THÉRÈSE OF LISIEUX - December 10, 2015
It also includes quotes from St. Faustina's diary. As always, an uplifting and inspiring message from Fr. Philippe who I had the pleasure of meeting in person a year ago. I'll buy every book he puts out.
Although I enjoyed this very much, I have appreciated his other works more, probably because most of this about Mary, St. Thérèse and mercy wasn't new for me.
February 16, 2023
A concise and practical reflection on the ways we can understand and trust in God’s mercy for ourselves, and then also how we too are called to be merciful in our homes, families and everyday life.
March 17, 2017
In three homilies given on mercy by Jacques Philippe we learn of mercy in relation to Our Lady, how we live mercy and forgiveness in the family and how St Teresa of Lisieux lived mercy and trust. It's a real insight into accepting mercy and in turn showing it.
April 14, 2016
Amazing!
... Full review to follow ...
It has been a few years since I have read a book by Father Jacques Philippe. It is my loss. Everything I have read by him has been excellent, even reading some different translations of his earlier books. I typically write two types of reviews, the first is short and sweet and just my own impressions, the second is to quote extensively from the source and give readers a great sampling to hook them. This is that second type. My first read through I highlighted over 25 passages and made notes. This book is an amazing resource for the year of mercy, or for anyone looking for growth in their spiritual life. This book is a compilation of three talks given in December of 2015. It also has two appendixes to go deeper on quotes from St. Faustina and St. Thérèse De Lisieux.
The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
Mercy and The Mother Of God
Mercy and Forgiveness In The Family
Mercy and Trust In St. Thérèse Of Lisieux
Appendix I Quotations On Divine Mercy from St. Faustina
Appendix Ii Quotations from St. Thérèse De Lisieux
From the introduction we are told: "Because of our freedom we must not only recognize God's mercy but accept it. Fr. Philippe focuses on acceptance (or trust), because we so often lack humility, self forgiveness, and self-abandonment to his love, the portals to the flow of God's endless mercy." And the rest of the book builds upon those themes. It goes on to say: "This book is a gift. We are invited by the Lord to explore the depths of his mercy through the wisdom and keen spiritual sense of Fr. Philippe. Let us all accept Jesus's look of merciful tenderness as he "opens us up to a path of life."" And that is our task in reading this book to experience God, experience his mercy and through that to learn to extend and grow in mercy towards ourselves and outwards to others. Now let us get into the main body of the text.
And now to Father Philippe in his own words. "God in his mercy will forgive our sins and won't remember any of our faults. The greatest knowledge of God is the knowledge of his mercy." We need to learn to accept God's forgiveness, I once heard a talk where we were told the devil get's two victories, the first when we sin and the second when we do not accept God's forgiveness. Hopefully this book can be a tool to help your grow in knowing that mercy of God and experiencing it. That though also applies to our next quote: "We see in the Gospel that the mercy of God is the greatest mystery and the most beautiful treasure. However, we have a difficult time accepting it. It's not easy to welcome the mercy of God. We see it in the Gospel, and we see it in our daily lives. We have a hard time receiving the mercy of God because we really have very little trust in God's forgiveness." This is one of the greatest lessons in this book. Again Father Philippe declares: "We don't really believe in this reality of the forgiveness of God, and so we don't always fully welcome it. God forgives us, but we can't forgive ourselves." He reiterates this thought a number of times through the book.
Father Philippe also reminds us to accept that we fail but in doing so, to move closer to get through repentance. He says: "Sometimes it's good that we rejoice when we have accomplished great things. But in the moments where we feel our poverty, we should also rejoice, because the good news is for the poor." And from that we are suppose to live in a spirit of thanks. "There is a little secret in the spiritual life: The more the heart gives thanks, the more God gives, even when life isn't perfect, even when we don't have everything we need or want. The more we thank God, the more our heart is open to receive even more of his mercy and his gifts." God does want the best for us. He promises that he has plans for us to restore us.
There is a long section on Mercy in family life or community living. He declares: "When we live in a family, we live together under the same roof. We have very
close relationships; we are physically close. We can both support one another and love one another. We can teach our children. The family is a place of great graces; it is the fundamental unit of the Church." And he reminds us that living in community, living in family and loving the world is only achieved through accepting God's help: "I realize how much I need God's help because alone, I am not able to love. I am not able to count on my own strength. I have to count on the grace of God, on the Holy Spirit who comes to aid my weakness." We must rely on the spirit to work in and through us.
Speaking on forgiveness Father Philippe reminds us that forgiveness is about both the receiver and the giver; he states: "Forgiveness is not always easy; it is one of the most unselfish acts of love. Forgiveness can also be one of the greatest acts of freedom - the freedom to love even the one who has done you wrong." He goes on to say: "When I forgive someone, it is an act of hope. Through forgiving them, I have hope in the path that this person will take. I have hope for this person's progress, this person's conversion. I believe that this person, too, will meet Christ and his or her heart will be transformed." That is what we receive from God and what we have been commanded to do.
Another great reminder is that "We are not free in regards to the past when we have not forgiven. We can't receive the graces of the present moment, all the blessings God wants to give us. We can't receive them because we are attached to our past by this refusal of forgiveness." Again this reiterates how forgiveness is as much for us as it is for the offender. And another is "What sometimes blocks us from receiving mercy from God is our lack of trust, but it is also our lack of humility. We are not poor of heart. We want to save ourselves rather than welcome everything as a gift from God." We must learn to acknowledge and grow in the experience of living in God's mercy.
This book was an amazing read. I have already recommended it to a number of friends. With every book by Father Jacques Philippe that I read I find that I grow, I am challenged and I am drawn closer to God. His writing style is engaging and encouraging, it is like getting advice from an uncle or grandfather who only wants the best for you. The quote that hit me most is "Always have trust in God, but with humility and poverty of heart." If we can try and do that we will grow in mercy, for others and for ourselves and that is the key message that Father Philippe is encouraging us to do though this great little volume.
This book was an amazing little read. I will likely give away many copies over the next while. And I can say it is one of the best spiritual books I have read this year.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Jacques Philippe.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
... Full review to follow ...
It has been a few years since I have read a book by Father Jacques Philippe. It is my loss. Everything I have read by him has been excellent, even reading some different translations of his earlier books. I typically write two types of reviews, the first is short and sweet and just my own impressions, the second is to quote extensively from the source and give readers a great sampling to hook them. This is that second type. My first read through I highlighted over 25 passages and made notes. This book is an amazing resource for the year of mercy, or for anyone looking for growth in their spiritual life. This book is a compilation of three talks given in December of 2015. It also has two appendixes to go deeper on quotes from St. Faustina and St. Thérèse De Lisieux.
The chapters in this book are:
Introduction
Mercy and The Mother Of God
Mercy and Forgiveness In The Family
Mercy and Trust In St. Thérèse Of Lisieux
Appendix I Quotations On Divine Mercy from St. Faustina
Appendix Ii Quotations from St. Thérèse De Lisieux
From the introduction we are told: "Because of our freedom we must not only recognize God's mercy but accept it. Fr. Philippe focuses on acceptance (or trust), because we so often lack humility, self forgiveness, and self-abandonment to his love, the portals to the flow of God's endless mercy." And the rest of the book builds upon those themes. It goes on to say: "This book is a gift. We are invited by the Lord to explore the depths of his mercy through the wisdom and keen spiritual sense of Fr. Philippe. Let us all accept Jesus's look of merciful tenderness as he "opens us up to a path of life."" And that is our task in reading this book to experience God, experience his mercy and through that to learn to extend and grow in mercy towards ourselves and outwards to others. Now let us get into the main body of the text.
And now to Father Philippe in his own words. "God in his mercy will forgive our sins and won't remember any of our faults. The greatest knowledge of God is the knowledge of his mercy." We need to learn to accept God's forgiveness, I once heard a talk where we were told the devil get's two victories, the first when we sin and the second when we do not accept God's forgiveness. Hopefully this book can be a tool to help your grow in knowing that mercy of God and experiencing it. That though also applies to our next quote: "We see in the Gospel that the mercy of God is the greatest mystery and the most beautiful treasure. However, we have a difficult time accepting it. It's not easy to welcome the mercy of God. We see it in the Gospel, and we see it in our daily lives. We have a hard time receiving the mercy of God because we really have very little trust in God's forgiveness." This is one of the greatest lessons in this book. Again Father Philippe declares: "We don't really believe in this reality of the forgiveness of God, and so we don't always fully welcome it. God forgives us, but we can't forgive ourselves." He reiterates this thought a number of times through the book.
Father Philippe also reminds us to accept that we fail but in doing so, to move closer to get through repentance. He says: "Sometimes it's good that we rejoice when we have accomplished great things. But in the moments where we feel our poverty, we should also rejoice, because the good news is for the poor." And from that we are suppose to live in a spirit of thanks. "There is a little secret in the spiritual life: The more the heart gives thanks, the more God gives, even when life isn't perfect, even when we don't have everything we need or want. The more we thank God, the more our heart is open to receive even more of his mercy and his gifts." God does want the best for us. He promises that he has plans for us to restore us.
There is a long section on Mercy in family life or community living. He declares: "When we live in a family, we live together under the same roof. We have very
close relationships; we are physically close. We can both support one another and love one another. We can teach our children. The family is a place of great graces; it is the fundamental unit of the Church." And he reminds us that living in community, living in family and loving the world is only achieved through accepting God's help: "I realize how much I need God's help because alone, I am not able to love. I am not able to count on my own strength. I have to count on the grace of God, on the Holy Spirit who comes to aid my weakness." We must rely on the spirit to work in and through us.
Speaking on forgiveness Father Philippe reminds us that forgiveness is about both the receiver and the giver; he states: "Forgiveness is not always easy; it is one of the most unselfish acts of love. Forgiveness can also be one of the greatest acts of freedom - the freedom to love even the one who has done you wrong." He goes on to say: "When I forgive someone, it is an act of hope. Through forgiving them, I have hope in the path that this person will take. I have hope for this person's progress, this person's conversion. I believe that this person, too, will meet Christ and his or her heart will be transformed." That is what we receive from God and what we have been commanded to do.
Another great reminder is that "We are not free in regards to the past when we have not forgiven. We can't receive the graces of the present moment, all the blessings God wants to give us. We can't receive them because we are attached to our past by this refusal of forgiveness." Again this reiterates how forgiveness is as much for us as it is for the offender. And another is "What sometimes blocks us from receiving mercy from God is our lack of trust, but it is also our lack of humility. We are not poor of heart. We want to save ourselves rather than welcome everything as a gift from God." We must learn to acknowledge and grow in the experience of living in God's mercy.
This book was an amazing read. I have already recommended it to a number of friends. With every book by Father Jacques Philippe that I read I find that I grow, I am challenged and I am drawn closer to God. His writing style is engaging and encouraging, it is like getting advice from an uncle or grandfather who only wants the best for you. The quote that hit me most is "Always have trust in God, but with humility and poverty of heart." If we can try and do that we will grow in mercy, for others and for ourselves and that is the key message that Father Philippe is encouraging us to do though this great little volume.
This book was an amazing little read. I will likely give away many copies over the next while. And I can say it is one of the best spiritual books I have read this year.
Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More and reviews of other books by Father Jacques Philippe.
(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)
June 11, 2024
“Punish me with a kiss.” Some really simple yet challenging thoughts around what mercy looks like in Christian theology. As Christians, it’s common to hear the idea of not trusting in your own works but this book helped reframe the importance of trusting in the mercy of God when we fall short, and when you really think about that, that can be so hard to do. I despair over my shortcomings and my sin, and that is actually not being faithful in the mercy of God. I learned more about the importance of Mary in the Catholic tradition which led to more confusion over some of the Catholic church’s ideologies.
September 29, 2021
I began reading this book with a wish to understand what is being merciful and to whom. I could ruminate on my failings and shortcomings and be humbled to be open and welcome mercy from God. That's the start to be merciful for others who are hurting and hurt.
July 13, 2025
“Lord, may the fire of your love and mercy burn in my heart, that it might purify and renew me so I can communicate it to the world.”
“I believe in your love. I want to live by your love so that the world can be healed, because only your love and your mercy can heal the wounds of man today.”
“I believe in your love. I want to live by your love so that the world can be healed, because only your love and your mercy can heal the wounds of man today.”
August 2, 2018
I enjoyed this book. Fr. Jacques Philippe cites St. Thérèse often in these transcribed homilies. I think it can help readers understand mercy in a deeper way.
February 10, 2019
Solid content with a few remarkable insights for my life and teaching. Probably 3 different talks he gave. Possibly some editing and/or translation bumps.
February 18, 2019
Clarity on how Mary conveys and amplifies the mercy of the Lord to us. And the part that forgiveness (given and received) and complete trust in the Father plays in the reception of that mercy.
January 8, 2024
If you are seeking a deeper spiritual life in Christ, this author will not fail to bless you.
March 16, 2025
Helpful presentation of mercy in several homilies.
July 1, 2023
Another great book by Fr. Jacques Philippe. His chapter on mercy in the family is particularly great, especially since so many people experience tremendous brokenness within their families. Not only does this book help demonstrate our own need for God's mercy, it also helps the reader to recognize the great need for demonstrating mercy to others.
September 11, 2016
The shortest of Fr. Jacques' books, I think. I wasn't as impressed, but I've read all his other books so the themes weren't new to me. I did like how he combined St. Therese and St. Faustina quotes on mercy from the diary. Very helpful for the scrupulous or those having a hard time forgiving.
September 18, 2016
Over the years, Fr. Jacques has become one of my favorite spiritual authors. His writings to me are rich in spiritual insight that is at the same time profound and practical in its child-like simplicity. Real Mercy is no exception.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews