Face to Face with Jesus

In this series of brief spiritual exercises, Archbishop Bruno Forte-an eminent churchman, a world-renowned scholar, and a passionate Christian-guides the reader in a prayerful encounter with Jesus. Blending lectio divina and Ignatian spirituality, this catechumenal journey invites all disciples into a deep contemplation of Scripture.

Based on the Gospel of Mark, the shortest and oldest of the four gospels that succeeded in evangelizing the Church's first generation, these spiritual exercises walk readers through the life of Jesus. Applying his scholarship and faith conviction, Archbishop Forte considers how Jesus lived, faced death, and confronted the future of his mission for humanity. A meditation on Jesus's obedience, self-denial, love, courage, and trust as portrayed in Mark's narrative illuminates the path to discipleship.

Believers and inquiring non-believers alike are prompted to reflect on their own lives as disciples of Christ: Which steps should I take in order to free myself from evil and guide my life firmly in accordance? What choices must I make in order to give full meaning to my life as a follower of Jesus? What am I called to put into practice so that my life is a source of light and love for others? In this formative experience, readers come face to face with Jesus, embarking on a journey from darkness to light, from doubt to faith, from passive acceptance to active participation.

Features & Benefits:

• Combines accessible scholarship, pastorship, and discipleship
• Sequentially follows the Gospel of Mark
• Mirrors the three classic movements of the spiritual life: purgative, illuminative, and unitive
• Contains personal reflection questions
• Provides a historical, geographical, and cultural/social context for understanding the Gospel
• Applies Scripture/the life of Jesus to how it can inform readers' spiritual lives
• Based on a Gospel that is an easy introduction for catechumens and inquirers
• Relevant for Lenten meditations

   

About the Author:

Bruno Forte was ordained to the priesthood in 1973 and named Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto, Italy, in 2004. A renowned theologian, Forte obtained his doctorate in theology at the Theological Faculty of Naples, Italy, and subsequently studied in Tübingen, Germany, and Paris, France.

In 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him one of the founding members of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelization. Forte is also a member of the Pontifical Council for Culture and the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity. For two five-year terms he was part of the International Theological Commission of the Holy See.

Widely published in Europe and Latin America, several of his books have been published in North America, including The Trinity As History: Saga of the Christian God (St Pauls/Alba House, 1989), Why Go to Confession?: Reconciliation and the Beauty of God (Pauline Books & Media, 2007), and The Portal of Beauty: Towards a Theology of Aesthetics (Eerdmans, 2008).

What Are People Saying about this Title?

"In Face to Face with Jesus, the Gospel of Saint Mark comes alive as a manual of Christian living for all those seeking to know the fullest expression of human love found only in the Risen Lord."
- Cardinal Donald Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington

"This is a small book that will have a big impact on your life. Archbishop Bruno Forte combines the knowledge of a theologian with the passion of a devoted disciple to create a book that is a must-read for any believer."
- Jennifer Fulwiler, author of ConversionDiary.com

"By reading the story as an initiation into the life-long journey of faith for catechumens, Archbishop Forte provides a valuable pastoral resource for RCIA and Adult Faith Formation groups."
- Pheme Perkins, PhD, professor of theology, Boston College