betty

"Francis, go and build up my house, which thou seest, is falling into ruin." To fulfill this command of Our Lord, St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) began by restoring physical churches and continued by building up the spiritual church in souls. Francis' humility, purity, and true joy inspired many to conversion and a deeper faith.

In the first half of life, we are naturally preoccupied with establishing ourselves; climbing, achieving, and performing. But as we grow older and encounter challenges and mistakes, we need to see ourselves in a different and more life-giving way. This message of falling down - that is in fact moving upward - is the most resisted and counterintuitive of messages in the world's religions. Falling Upward offers a new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how those who have fallen down are the only ones who understand "up".

This series represents an opportunity to participate in a one week retreat with Eckhart and so to go deeper into stillness – becoming one with who you are in the depth of your Being. A certain degree of spiritual maturity, however, is required of anyone wishing to participate fully in this retreat series. What is spiritual maturity? You know the meaning of presence, not as a concept, but as a living reality.

By meditating on personal examples from the author's life, as well as reflecting on the inspirational life and writings of Thomas Merton, stories from the Gospels, as well as the lives of other holy men and women (among them, Henri Nouwen, Therese of Lisieux, and Pope John XXIII), the listener will understand how becoming who you are, and becoming the person that God created, is a simple path to happiness, peace of mind and even sanctity.

En su primer libro oficial como el Papa, y en celebración de su Jubileo de la Misericordia, el Papa Francisco se dirige a cada hombre y mujer del planeta un diálogo íntimo y personal. En el centro, se halla el tema que más le interesa—la misericordia—desde siempre eje fundamental de su fe y ahora de su pontificado. En cada página vibra el deseo de llegar a todas aquellas almas que buscan darle un sentido a la vida, un camino de paz y de reconciliación, y una cura a las heridas físicas y espirituales.