I read the book in a day and a half.
As a former Evangelical, I am impressed by anyone who can quote chapter and verse to support a theological position. Fr. Thomas Dubay wins the prize. He doesn't build a case on one verse; he builds a case on the entire Gospel message.
It is troubling (again as a former Evangelical) to think that my little prayer of repentence as a new believer doesn't mean that I'm a sure recipient of eternal life. Passages like, whatever you have done for the least of these. . . whatever you have not done for the least of these. . . are very troubling indeed. Being a sheep doesn't happen because I said a little prayer at the age of eight. Being a goat doesn't happen because I didn't say the little prayer.
I've been Catholic four years. And the Gospel message of giving to the poor and needy was just beginning to sink in.
And then I read this book.
"Nowhere in Scripture are we asked for much or most or quite a bit. Always it is everything. The God of revelation is never a God of fractions. It is not enough to love him with 95 percent of our heart, not enough to be detached from major obstacles, not enough to be merely cordial and helpful in community, not enough to be regular in prayer" (42).
If we have two coats, we must give one away.
We must give out of our need, not out of abundance.
Our neighbor is our brother. If he is in need, we must fly to help him as quickly and generously as we would our biological brother.
What we have is not given to us, it is demanded of us - for others.
The question comes to mind: who can stand on that day? And just when you begin to wonder, Fr. Dubay lays it out for the reader. Saint by saint, from age to age, they gave all. And they were happy. And they shall be called The Sheep.
Happy Are You Poor by Fr. Thomas Dubay - excellent and totally grounded in the Gospel of Jesus Christ
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