Secrets of the Interior Life

by Luis M. Martínez

“Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” St. James the Apostle’s exclamation can conjure a discomfiting polarity between the active and contemplative aspects of the Christian life. In Secrets of the Interior Life , Luis M. Martínez dissolves that apparent polarity with an engaging explanation of how the contemplative life both informs and inspires the active life of following the way of Jesus Christ. As Martínez himself eloquently describes, “The true efficacy of our works depends upon our interior life, and the true worth of a soul is the worth of its interior life; for a soul’s worth is in direct proportion to the intimacy and intensity of its relations with God.” The key to cultivating and sustaining this relationship with God is to learn the divine and different ways of God and then to seek him out by those selfsame ways, trusting that the hidden God will reveal himself to the soul who loves him. In similar vein as the accessibly contemplative works of Saints John of the Cross, Teresa of Ávila, and Thérèse of Lisieux, Secrets of the Interior Life offers spiritual and practical counsel in ready supply in commending its readers to the tender care of the God who is love.

Genres: Catholic

229 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Luis María Martínez y Rodríguez was the Catholic archbishop of Mexico and a member of the Academia Mexicana de la Lengua ("Mexican Language Academy").

He was born in Molinos de Caballeros, Epitacio Huerta, Michoacán. A philosopher of the scholastic tradition, his focus on the ultimate nature of things led him to theology. He was also a writer of spiritual poetry.

While his traditional values provoked his criticisms of some aspects of Mexico's modernization, he always retained a special relationship with the people. He presided over the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the coronation of Our Lady of Guadalupe, declaring, "I am Zumárraga" in order to draw Mexicans who has "wandered" back to the church. He joined the Academy in 1953, and many of his sermons were translated into French, Italian, and German.

He died on February 9, 1956 in Mexico City.

Reviews

[John Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stumbling upon this book while spending quiet time with God in the choir loft of the high school chapel where I teach, I decided to give it a read. I had heard good things about this long deceased Mexican bishop author; I found the book to be well-translated and easy to read. My soul resonated with several of the spiritual concepts that the good bishop explained such as the need for a strong childlike confidence in God, deep humility, and patience with God's ways-so unlike our own at times. While I agree with the author's insistence on not overemphasizing positive feelings and consolations as a guide to personal sanctity, as well as his constant reminders to willingly accept the crosses of life, I felt that the work could have been complemented by an exposition of the role that emotions and feelings are called to play in the spiritual life. Alas, such ideas are not present in this work. Still, overall it is a book that I would recommend for all in need of a refresher on important elements for growing in the Christian spiritual life.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent! Wonderful images that open the heart to faith. Chapter on disordered affections was very helpful.

[Denise Kawaii · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by my mother. It is a very deep look at focusing on our internal self, and how to mold that self to be more united with God in all of His forms. The message repeated most loudly through this book is that even our most difficult times are actually blessings because they force us to grow.

This book is not light reading. It is very introspective and takes time both to get through, and to pull the deeper messages from.