Being Bread

If, indeed, as Dostoevsky says, "Beauty will save the world," it is because beauty arises only in the presence of love. Without love, there is nothing beautiful. There is nothing valuable. There is nothing meaningful. Meaning arises and transformation occurs through the call and response of personal encounter when we discover a third presence Who offers us being-in-relationship that is greater than the determinism and inertia of biological life. The stories and reflections in this volume are offered in celebration of the One who, in surprising ways and unexpected circumstances, becomes the precious and pure gift of our being bread so that we may live the mystery of becoming bread for others. I wish this for all who read this book. * * * "This inspiring book will help many people break out of their customary way of viewing life. The questions at the end of each chapter do not let the reader be merely content with enjoying the insightful ideas, but they gently invite a deeper look within. It would be a good thing for people to read before going to confession!" (Hieromonk Ephraim) * * * "Stephen Muse's finely-written book is full of profound insights, eyebrow-raising surprises and unforgettable stories. Muse adds new depths to a sentence most of us pray at least once daily, 'Give us this day our daily bread.'" (Jim Forest, author of All is Grace; Saint George & the Dragon; For the Peace From Above; Silent as a Stone) * * * "Pouring over these sustaining narratives I startled to joyful recognition at having come upon another brother along the way who is being drawn along the journey of prayer, which is also the journey to prayer, which is abundant life in Christ. !!" (Scott Cairns, Author of Slow Pilgrim (originally Short Trip to the Edge)) * * * "Rarely is the depth of God's love of the cosmos and of each of us tasted so enjoyably." (Dr. Demetra Velisarios Jaquet, D.Min., Clinical Director, Rocky Mountain Center for Spiritual Caregivers)