The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything

I just finished reading "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything" by James Martin, SJ. It's a delightfully readable explanation of Jesuit life lived according the to Rule of St. Ignatius. It explains those things that most of us who don't live a formal religious life don't quite understand, like celibacy, chastity, obedience, acceptance, suffering, vocation. Using Ignatius' own writings and the stories of Jesuit saints from the Order's founding in 1540, Fr. Martin explains the 'Rules' with a light hand and humorous anecdotes. While the subject matter may be heavy, the reading is not. Fr. Martin then goes on to explain how each Rule can be applied in simple ways to the lives of lay men and women. He shares some of the most imaginative and creative ways the Jesuits use to deepen and enrich their faith, and the skills they develop that enable them to live in community in the modern world. I've tried a few of his suggestions and can tell you that they are not only do-able, but that they work! I give this book a big 'thumbs up' for being both entertaining and practical...not necessarily traits you would award a book about religion!

More Stephanie Plum

You're going to laugh. Today I went to the library to return "Twelve Sharp" and check out the next book in the Stephanie Plum series, "Lean Mean Thirteen." I knew they had it; I saw it on the shelf my last visit. Zut alors! It wasn't there. I pulled every Janet Evanovich book from the shelf. I checked both before and after her section, thinking maybe someone had stuck it back in the wrong place. Nothing, zero, zilch... no #13! How unlucky is that? I walked away incapable of choosing "Fearless Fourteen" which was there. Muttering "I just can't read them out of order," I continued to browse. After wandering up and down the aisles and talking hard to myself, I returned and plucked "Fearless Fourteen" from its place. "Each book stands alone," I reasoned with myself. "You can read #13 next time around." With a sigh, my defeated, neurotic read-'em-in-order self checked out. As I walked thru the hallway to the library's exit, I glanced at the books for sale. If the library finds itself with duplicates of books (they receive donated books all the time), they put them on sale, cheap, to raise money for the library. Right there, front and center, was #13, a bargain at a buck for the hardcover copy. I stopped; I pondered. Should I just buy it? NO! that's absolutely neurotic. So, Lucie and I continued our town chores...getting gas for the mower, picking up a dozen farm-fresh eggs at the feed store, and mailing bills at the post office. All the while, #13 was calling my name. Finally unable to resist, I drove back to the library and bought the sucker! As I paid the librarian, I confessed my neuroses. "I just can't seem to read them out of order," I moaned. She commiserated with me..."Me neither," she laughed, "number thirteen must be checked out."

"And by the way," she added as I opened the door to leave, "we have her latest, #16 on the 'new books' shelf"

"No way," I shot back,"you can't tempt me. I've got three more to read before I'm there!"

Yes, I am neurotic!