Flashes of Grace: 33 Encounters with God

Henry, retired director of the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, debuts with a series of joyful essays detailing God’s presence in his life and in the world. The entries meander through Henry’s memories and feelings about God, tied together only by his energy and optimism: “Humility and reflection and flexibility keep me free and nimble, alert to both the challenge and the reassurance of God’s grace.” Some essays strike a humorous tone (such as his skewering of the Left Behind series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins: “If what they say of God is true, my conscience tells me that hell is better than heaven”), while others are more reverent (as with his description of dancing in the church aisles after a gathering of disparate faith traditions). Among the highlights are Henry finding inspiration in John Stuart Mill’s thoughts on disagreeing with one’s father and Yogi Berra’s dictum to keep moving forward. Any Christian will find inspiration in this glowing testament to living a God-infused life. (Mar.)