The Life of Christ

The Power of the Cross

Applying the Passion of Christ to Your Life
Book cover: The Power of the Cross
Author(s): 
Michael Dubruiel
Number of pages: 
272 pages
Copyright: 
2004
ISBN / ID: 
9781592761005
Publisher: 
Our Sunday Visitor
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is a meditative book, divided into a six week program of daily readings and meditation ideas, based on the Passion of Christ. Ideally, and Dubruiel suggests this, this book would fit in perfectly with a Lenten reading plan. However, the book can really be started any time. In addition to individual use, the book is well suited for a small group, as it contains discussion questions at the end of each section. These questions could be used individually, to help you get as much out of the reading and meditation as possible, or in a group.

As a busy mother, I really like books that I can read a little bit at one sitting and then put it down. I tend to get snatches of time, rather than long bits, and so the length of these chapters and the amount of material covered was just right for me.

If you are looking for a book to help you meditate on the cross, if you need something to help you work on some particular suffering you are dealing with, or if you just simply want to enter into the passion more deeply with Christ, than I think this would be an excellent book for you.

The book covers:

  • God's unique purpose and mission for you.
  • How to overcome the evil that you have suffered at the hands of others.
  • To find God's presence in difficult times.
  • The keys to unleashing the power of the cross in your life.

Click here to download a free study guide on the publisher's website.

Perspective: 
Catholic
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Spear

Book cover: The Spear
Author(s): 
Louis de Wohl
Number of pages: 
401 pages
Copyright: 
1955
ISBN / ID: 
9780898706048
Publisher: 
Ignatius Press
Binding: 
Softcover
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

A fast-paced fictionalized account of the centurion who thrust the spear into the side of Christ. The book was clearly written for adults, but might be suitable for older teens. There is a great deal of violence (as might be expected), an attempted suicide, and other content appropriate for those with some degree of maturity. The story is very Catholic and the author weaves many Catholic ideas and thought into the conversations of the characters as well as showing how much people of that time (particularly the Romans) were in need of the message of Christ. The centurion in particular (Cassius Longinus) has lost all faith in fellow man and life in this world until he begins hearing about the Rabbi Yeshua and his followers. The immense quantity of well-researched historical details add a lot to the story as well.

There is a scene in which a woman commits adultery (the same woman who Jesus saves from stoning). While the issue is important and is handled well, their attraction for each other might be described in a too-sensual way for some teens.

Perspective: 
Catholic
Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
1998-99

The Story of the Other Wise Man

Book cover: 'The Story of the Other Wise Man'
Author(s): 
Henry Van Dyke
Number of pages: 
72 pages
Copyright: 
1895
Grade / Age level: 
Review: 

This is the intriguing and classic story of Artaban, the "other" wise man who searches for Jesus his whole life while "foolishly" spending his treasures - which had been intended as a gift for the newborn king - on the poor and needy. A beautiful and touching story, it is quite short, but the vocabulary is challenging enough to be appropriate for upper grade school or high school.

Perspective: 
Judeo-Christian
Additional notes: 

The 1895 illustrated edition is available for free download from Project Gutenberg.

Reviewed by: 
First reviewed: 
4-26-01

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