Happiness in This Life

November 20, 2017
With this wide-ranging collection of writings, homilies, and addresses, the current pontiff dispels any notion that religious practice is dour and antiquated. True to his origins as a Jesuit priest, Pope Francis places the laity above all else and urges Catholics, especially young adults, to use their grace to help the less fortunate: “This is the prayer that a young person should make: ‘Lord, what do you want from me?’ ” Francis endorses reading the Beatitudes in order to find true inner happiness and exhorts readers to memorize them in the same way they would memorize the Ten Commandments. Francis rails against consumerism, arguing that the desire to continually acquire material goods only leads to spiritual emptiness: “Let us distance ourselves from the longing to possess things, from the idolatry of money, and from wastefulness.” This hodgepodge of quotes grouped loosely together is nonetheless inspiring. It brings together the pope’s most affecting passages to inspire Catholics (and those of other faiths) to lift up those around them who suffer.

November 15, 2017
Homilies and other short inspirational writings by the leader of the Catholic Church.Inner freedom, writes Pope Francis (Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters from Children from Around the World, 2016, etc.), "means, in a certain way, freeing yourself from your culture and its mindset." The sentiment could have come straight out of the 1960s, and it's one of several surprises to be found in this slender collection. Most popes over the course of history have been concerned not so much with this life as the next one, and this one doesn't let that emphasis slide, either. If "the secret to a good life is to love and to surrender to love," it is also to surrender to the Holy Trinity, Mary, and other celestials. Indeed, the organizing principle of the good life, by the author's reckoning, is the Beatitudes, those blessings on the downtrodden and unfortunate from the Sermon on the Mount: "Read them every day, try not to forget them. They are the Law that Jesus gives us!" If there are moments reminiscent of the gentle encouragement of the Dalai Lama--"Don't stifle your dreams," for instance, and "Let's talk about the Lord with joy"--there is also plenty of Jesuitical rigor, especially when the pope turns to more controversial matters: it seems clear, for example, that although Francis allows that women have a role to play in the church, that role will not include priestly professions anytime soon. Family-centered and practical--especially on difficult matters of familial contention--these homilies are, on the whole, gentle encouragements to do the right thing, at least as the pontiff interprets right and wrong.The author's 2015 encyclical Laudato si' makes for more inspired reading, perhaps, but this sometimes-stern but often friendly collection offers clear insight into the pope's doctrinal concerns.

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December 15, 2017
Though the title of the book mentions happiness, this collection of thoughts addresses something much deeperjoy. Bringing together excerpts from Pope Francis' sermons, speeches, prayers, and addresses, these pieces address a range of themes, from mercy and humility to simplicity and family. Ultimately, though, each piece points to the joy of following God. The pope addresses families, single people, youth, and others, constantly reminding all that they can indeed find ultimate happiness in this life. Each excerpt is short, well suited for digesting slowly over a long period of time or reading all at once for a broader perspective. Readers will be encouraged to clear away the cacophony of modern society and embrace the simplicity of joy. A book as loving and encouraging as the man himself seems to be.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)