{"product_id":"what-i-am-living-for-lessons-from-the-life-and-writings-of-thomas-merton-9781594717413","title":"What I Am Living for: Lessons from the Life and Writings of Thomas Merton","description":"\u003ci\u003e\"If you want to identify me, ask me not where I live, or what I like to eat, or how I comb my hair, but ask me what I am living for, in detail, and ask me what I think is keeping me from living fully for the thing I want to live for.\"\u003c\/i\u003e--\u003cb\u003eThomas Merton\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Some of today's most popular spiritual writers--including Rev. James Martin, S.J.; Bishop Robert Barron; Robert Ellsberg; Rev. Daniel P. Horan; and Kaya Oakes--explore the meaning of life and what we live for using Thomas Merton's life and writings as a guide. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In his address before the US Congress, Pope Francis praised Merton as one of four exemplary Americans. This was no surprise to the thousands who already know and appreciate the twentieth-century monk, but there were many listening that day who still have no idea who Merton is. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eWhat I Am Living For\u003c\/i\u003e offers readers new to Merton, as well as longtime enthusiasts, an opportunity to see how the influential twentieth-century monk and writer continues to encourage the awakening of faith in the twenty-first century. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e The book is in two parts. Each contributor to part one focuses on an aspect of the spiritual life that is of vital importance today and on which Merton made a profound impact. These include: \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Martin--Finding who God intends you to be \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Ellsberg--The spiritual need for solitude and stability \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Oakes--The importance of coming to terms with our sexuality, whether married, single, or celibate \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Horan--The importance of dialogue with God, culture, society, and people of other faiths \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Part two features shorter, often more personal reflections on the future of faith, the life and teachings of Merton, and what he still says to anyone who seeks a relationship with God. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Contributors include such well-known writers as Barron; Sue Monk Kidd; Pico Iyer; Paula Huston; Ilia Delio, O.F.M.; Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O.; and Sylvia Boorstein.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eEllsberg, Robert:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cb\u003eRobert Ellsberg\u003c\/b\u003e is the editor-in-chief and publisher of Orbis Books. He previously served as managing editor of \u003ci\u003eThe Catholic Worker\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eSweeney, Jon M.:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cb\u003eJon M. Sweeney\u003c\/b\u003e is an independent scholar and one of religion's most respected writers. His work has been hailed by everyone from PBS and James Martin, S.J., to Fox News and Dan Savage. He's been interviewed on CBS \u003ci\u003eSaturday Morning\u003c\/i\u003e, Fox News, CBS-TV Chicago, \u003ci\u003eReligion and Ethics Newsweekly\u003c\/i\u003e, and on the popular program \u003ci\u003eChicago Tonight\u003c\/i\u003e. Several of his books have become Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club selections. His popular medieval history, \u003ci\u003eThe Pope Who Quit\u003c\/i\u003e, was published by Image\/Random House and optioned by HBO. It was a selection of the History Book Club and received a starred review in \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e. His book, \u003ci\u003eWhen Saint Francis Saved the Church, \u003c\/i\u003ereceived a 2015 award for excellence in history from the Catholic Press Association\u003ci\u003e.\u003c\/i\u003eHis other works include\u003ci\u003e The Enthusiast, \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Complete Francis of Assisi\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe St. Francis Prayer Book.\u003c\/i\u003e He was the editor of \u003ci\u003eA Course in Christian Mysticism\u003c\/i\u003e by Thomas Merton. Sweeney writes regularly for \u003ci\u003eAmerica\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Tablet\u003c\/i\u003e, and is the publisher and editor-in-chief at Paraclete Press. He lives with his wife and two daughters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMartin S. J., James:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eRev. James Martin, S.J.\u003c\/b\u003e, is a Jesuit priest, author, and editor-at-large at \u003ci\u003eAmerica\u003c\/i\u003e magazine.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEt al...\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Ave Maria Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50855885177106,"sku":"9781594717413","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0f6a0970-e29a-4a8b-b292-577b2e039f40.jpg?v=1737487477","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/what-i-am-living-for-lessons-from-the-life-and-writings-of-thomas-merton-9781594717413","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}