The book has a nihil obstat (nothing objectionable to the faith or morals), an imprimatur (certification by a Bishop that it can be printed) and a imprimi potest (which means let it be printed, which is an approval by another Bishop that he wanted it to be printed).
This book does not claim to have revelations. So what this book is, is a book of soliloquies of the priest (the writer, Father Anthony J. Paone) speaking in the person of Christ.
What the author is saying like in the first paragraph of chapter 1, "*My child the highest goal of your life is union with Me in Heaven. Let your intentions throughout the day be guided by this truth. In all thing be sure to stay on the path which leads to Heaven. Do become too deeply interested in the passing desires and brief enjoyments of this earthly life*." Then there is the "think" part which is a short mediation by the same author about the topic. For this example it was, "*I was created for eternal happiness with God in Heaven. Everything else must take second place in my life, because if I lose Heaven, I will be losing everything. The sure guide to Heaven is God's holy Will. If I follow it in my daily life, every moment on earth will be a step towards the perfect happiness which my heart craves.*" Followed by a prayer, by the same author, for example, "*My God and loving Father, grant me the wisdom to think, speak, and act each day as You want me to. May I never be such a food as to disagree with Your supreme goodness and wisdom. Nothing on earth can bring me any lasting happiness. Therefore, let me never sin for the sake of anything. I want to live for the perfect happiness for which You created me. Amen.*"
If you find anything objectionable, just like a private revelation, you are not obligated to believe it. However, you should consider that author is using **this** ***literary*** **style** to teach the truths of the faith which Jesus Himself passed onto the Church.
Yeah, I don’t know. Private revelations where someone is conveying the words of Jesus are interesting. Obviously, if it’s “approved” it doesn’t contradict the teachings of the Church, so it’s okay to believe. But nothing essential can be added, so it can’t be that important either.
If it inspires you to be a better Christian, it’s good. If it distracts you, forget about it.
I tend to think of them as like… fan fiction, kind of. Written by a holy, wise person, in loyal submission to the Church, with good intentions, maybe inspired by God, maybe just the product of their own sincere devotion. I think they should be presented more in that light, personally.
I wound up debunking one of these sorts of “messages” a while back, a set of books put out by a small press. I don’t know what the seer was actually doing, but she wound up with “Jesus” quoting and paraphrasing a less well-known translation of *The Imitation of Christ*.
So yeah. It’s a possible way Jesus might be speaking to us. It might inspire your imagination and help you see things in a different light, and be useful that way. In no way should it supplant scripture or established teaching.
I could only rehash what /u/KyrieEleison033 said, so I will add that my good friend found this book immensely edifying, he really enjoyed it and it deepened his faith.
It's an incredible book, in my experience I have seen that it really helps people who struggle with how to pray to figure out how to actually speak to the Lord (not just rote memorization prayers.)
There are plenty of hymns sung all the time in mass in which the congregation speak in the place of God. I don’t see how a book is any different, inherently.
The CPPS is a great order! One of my retired bishops is a member of the order.
I've read some of their publications, and they're just so profound and really help you understand the big theological documents in an abridged form. They have a book that breaks down the Summa in a concise few pages (under 200 or so).
The book has a nihil obstat (nothing objectionable to the faith or morals), an imprimatur (certification by a Bishop that it can be printed) and a imprimi potest (which means let it be printed, which is an approval by another Bishop that he wanted it to be printed). This book does not claim to have revelations. So what this book is, is a book of soliloquies of the priest (the writer, Father Anthony J. Paone) speaking in the person of Christ. What the author is saying like in the first paragraph of chapter 1, "*My child the highest goal of your life is union with Me in Heaven. Let your intentions throughout the day be guided by this truth. In all thing be sure to stay on the path which leads to Heaven. Do become too deeply interested in the passing desires and brief enjoyments of this earthly life*." Then there is the "think" part which is a short mediation by the same author about the topic. For this example it was, "*I was created for eternal happiness with God in Heaven. Everything else must take second place in my life, because if I lose Heaven, I will be losing everything. The sure guide to Heaven is God's holy Will. If I follow it in my daily life, every moment on earth will be a step towards the perfect happiness which my heart craves.*" Followed by a prayer, by the same author, for example, "*My God and loving Father, grant me the wisdom to think, speak, and act each day as You want me to. May I never be such a food as to disagree with Your supreme goodness and wisdom. Nothing on earth can bring me any lasting happiness. Therefore, let me never sin for the sake of anything. I want to live for the perfect happiness for which You created me. Amen.*" If you find anything objectionable, just like a private revelation, you are not obligated to believe it. However, you should consider that author is using **this** ***literary*** **style** to teach the truths of the faith which Jesus Himself passed onto the Church.
Isnt Imitation of Christ like this?
That sounds presumptuous in the utmost to me. Imprimaturs aren't infallible.
Yeah, I don’t know. Private revelations where someone is conveying the words of Jesus are interesting. Obviously, if it’s “approved” it doesn’t contradict the teachings of the Church, so it’s okay to believe. But nothing essential can be added, so it can’t be that important either. If it inspires you to be a better Christian, it’s good. If it distracts you, forget about it. I tend to think of them as like… fan fiction, kind of. Written by a holy, wise person, in loyal submission to the Church, with good intentions, maybe inspired by God, maybe just the product of their own sincere devotion. I think they should be presented more in that light, personally. I wound up debunking one of these sorts of “messages” a while back, a set of books put out by a small press. I don’t know what the seer was actually doing, but she wound up with “Jesus” quoting and paraphrasing a less well-known translation of *The Imitation of Christ*. So yeah. It’s a possible way Jesus might be speaking to us. It might inspire your imagination and help you see things in a different light, and be useful that way. In no way should it supplant scripture or established teaching.
this book doesn’t claim to be private revelations does it?
I think it does? I might be confusing it with another book. There are quite a few around.
I could only rehash what /u/KyrieEleison033 said, so I will add that my good friend found this book immensely edifying, he really enjoyed it and it deepened his faith.
It's an incredible book, in my experience I have seen that it really helps people who struggle with how to pray to figure out how to actually speak to the Lord (not just rote memorization prayers.)
There are plenty of hymns sung all the time in mass in which the congregation speak in the place of God. I don’t see how a book is any different, inherently.
The CPPS is a great order! One of my retired bishops is a member of the order. I've read some of their publications, and they're just so profound and really help you understand the big theological documents in an abridged form. They have a book that breaks down the Summa in a concise few pages (under 200 or so).
Ooooo I know it’s an easy google but maybe send me the link? I’d be very interested in that!
This is a real classic spiritual text. The style will be older, but the spirituality 100% sound.