Friends of God: Homilies

by Saint Josémaría Escrivá de Balaguer

This collection of homilies by St. Josemaría Escrivá helps you develop a strong, lasting friendship with the God who is close to us. St. Josemaría gives you a broad picture of the basic human and Christian virtues, so that you can not only follow closely in our Lord's footsteps, but establish and maintain a filial dialogue with God. Each of his homilies here are not only heartfelt conversations with the Christian who is immersed in ordinary life, but also a prayerful colloquy with God. With a masterful pastor's hand, St. Josemaría combines theological depth with evangelical clarity. He gives you here not only a lesson in doctrine, but an introduction to essential aspects of the Christian life. Simple, compassionate, and profound, these homilies are a full expression of St. Josemaría's passionate, expansive love for God.

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality, Religion, Faith, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity

530 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Josemarìa Escrivá is a writer and homilist from the mid 20th century. This book is a collection of some of his homilies. His message is simple and pairs well with Thérèse of Lisieux’s. It is simply that in and through your everyday work, you are called to holiness. The homilies collected here range on topics from various virtues to Our Mother, heavily packed with quotes from Scripture and the Church Fathers.

I do love how naturally Escrivá links all of Scripture together in ways that are just not readily apparent. I think sometimes he is a bit wordy but it is just his style and my attention span. He pulls stories from his life and childhood in with ease and is not afraid to be humbled before others.

This man shares his heart and I wish I could have heard these in person. He is challenging but loving. Several times while reading these homilies I have been convicted to do better. I have thought to myself “Yes! Why don’t I live like this? Why would I approach life any other way?” Thankful he is repetitive in his homilies because by the next day, I have forgotten my resolve to live my life in the Spirit of the Lord, offering all of my work to Him, and expelling laziness and delay from my daily work. I wish Josemariá would simply visit me every day and tell me to get my shit together. I want to read his collection of short suggestions - The Way- to continue the little shoves he has given me.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

No other spiritual writer connects with me so powerfully and so consistantly. St. Josemaria speaks directly to the heart.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debo confesar que éste es un libro que se sale del contexto de lo que regularmente leo. Sin embargo me resultó agradable. Quizá porque en ningún momento sentí que Mons. Josemaría Escrivá, a través de sus homilías, tuviera una agenda personal de imponerle al lector algún aspecto particular de la religión católica. Se enfoca más en el aspecto espiritual de las personas, en su alma, y sobre todo en la fé. Es en algunos aspectos casi una guía para recibir a Dios y aprender a conectarse y conversar directamente con él. Subrayé un par de frases o párrafos que me resonaron y me motivaron a pensar más sobre mi propia espiritualidad. Y bueno, el título del libro en particular me parece una delicia. Creo que el mundo no estaría tan descompuesto como lo está actualmente si todos fueramos verdaderos amigos de Dios.

[Beau Robicheaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escriva is not afraid to give you a kick in the butt just about as quickly as he'll give you a pat on the back . His works are both challenging and encouraging. His basic premise is effectively that anyone—through effort and the grace of God—can become a Saint. And that one should aspire to be a Saint. A challenge indeed!

Friends of God is a book of his homilies, and you'll see the dates each is given as you go through the book. I found these helpful as meditations to be read before going to sleep a couple nights a week; reading the book cover-to-cover would feel, at least to me, to cheapen the message. It's a book that requires not just reading, but work, and daily struggle to bring yourself one step closer to sanctification. And yet some days, you'll find yourself taking many steps back. And when you do, Escriva will be waiting for you, encouraging you to step forward again.

[Miel_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'était une belle lecture. Une découverte complète de St Josemaria et de son enseignement. J'ai beaucoup aimé. Le message principale est de vivre notre relation à Dieu dans notre quotidien, dans notre réalité et pas de façon fantasmé ou compliqué. "La routine, voilà le danger : imaginer que Dieu ne se trouve pas là, dans l'activité de chaque Instant, parce qu'elle est tellement simple, tellement ordinaire !"
Ce livre est donc un recueil d'homélies (discours du prêtre durant la messe) découpé en paragraphe numéroté. J'ai trouvé cela pratique pour méditer au fur et à mesure. En lisant un paragraphes par jour on peut facilement étaler la lecture sur un an.

[Tony Briza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of homilies covering the different (and I would say essential) aspects of the Christian life. In this volume, St.Josemaria shares his insights on how man can strive to achieve his ultimate goal of sanctity in the chapter "Towards Holiness". He outlines how one can develop a life of intense prayer filled with filial love for God in the chapter "Life of Prayer". Among the other topics are human virtues, the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, love for freedom, etc.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

St. Josemaria Escriva reminds us of the attainability of our deepest hopes, the wisdom of the ordinary, and the importance of an active inner life. His style of speaking is deeply personal, direct, and accessible to all. He earnestly calls his listeners to will the good of others with no worldly expectations in return.

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends of God Homilies by Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei, is a book I used for meditation. I read something every day.

This is a book of 18 homilies written during the 1940's. They are simple, something even I could understand. Yet, they contain doctrine and a theologian's clarity of explanations.

They are perfect for discussions with friends and God.

[Jimmy Fernando · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥️

[Connor (Charbel) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps the most impactful book on the spiritual life I’ve ever read.

[Claudia Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

En palabras de Don Ricardo Vargas: “un libro ascético de cabecera para todo cristiano o persona que quiera acercarse a Dios.” Y sí, sí lo es. ✨

[Jason Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific meditations that can be used for mental prayer on specific points of piety.

[Fave]

Read this before bed most nights. I think it helped me sleep easier.

[Dave Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most compelling book of homilies ever recorded. Speaks to the heart to all people in all states of life in all social economic backgrounds. Inspiring. Moving. Perfect.

This book of homilies gets the Golden burrito award.

[Rebeca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amigos de Dios recoge algunas de las homilías de San Josemaría. Es un bello libro que me ayudó a meditar muchos aspectos de mi vida y de mi relación personal con Dios. Es un libro espiritual que llama a la reflexión y al discernimiento.

[Sskous · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spend long periods of time in Escriva's books. His way of constructing the essential connection between my daily life and the salvation of my soul both startles and settles me.

[Erik]

Included in the "Spiritual Reading" section of Fr. John McCloskey's 100-book Catholic Lifetime Reading Plan.

[Phares Kariuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly advised my work ethic and faith choices. It's a good read for someone looking to get more meaning out of every day life.

[Eric Nicolai · Rating 4 out of 5]

These homilies have truly perennial value

[Naza M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how simple and easy to connect to daily life it is.

[Andrea L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quiero mucho a Nuestro Padre.
Necesitaba volver a leer su mensaje inspirador y fuerte.
Es como el alimento de los niños, pero ahora soy menos que un niño.