Branching Out: The Official Blog by Renew International

Surprise Summer Page-Turner

Written by Peter Yaremko | Jun 5, 2016 11:00:30 AM

During his training as a Jesuit in 1960s Argentina, Pope Francis taught literature. He also was a friend of the great Argentine author Jorge Luis Borges.
 
So it’s no surprise that his recent book, The Name of God Is Mercy, is an inspiring look at what he calls “the first attribute of God.”
 
It also happens to be a great beach read for the summer
months ahead.
 
The short book (151 pages) reads like a conversation, because that’s exactly what it is—a collection of interviews with a Vatican news correspondent.
 
In its review, The New York Times wrote, “The pope has an easy conversational style that moves effortlessly between folksy sayings and erudite allusions, between common-sense logic and impassioned philosophical insights. He is given to memorable metaphors—such as urging priests to go out in the world and be “shepherds living with the smell of the sheep.’”
 
The Name of God Is Mercy shows why this “Pope of Mercy” views the Church as a family. “It is the first school of mercy,” he says, “because it is there that we have been loved and learned to love, have been forgiven and learned to forgive.”
 
Our prayer today:
 

Heavenly Father, mercy is your name.
Grant that we always find ways
to recognize and receive the love you have for us.

 
Peter W. Yaremko, a former journalist, is the owner of Executive Media, Inc. and is a specialist in executive communications. He attends St. Peter the Apostle Church in Provincetown, Massachusetts and blogs at peterwyaremko.com/paradise_diaries.