A Living Gospel: Reading God's Story in Holy Lives

⭐Advance Praise and Reviews⭐

"Exceptional... Ellsberg has an unmatched ability to unpack how these figures wrote a sacred text with their actual lives." — Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI

"A wonderful, enlightening, and inspiring work. We especially praise the book's expansive inclusivity, drawing particular attention to a vital chapter on 'Holy Women' whose stories, dreams, and visions have historically been marginalized." — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Practice

"Highly commended for taking a deeper dive into what Ellsberg calls a 'holiness of the everyday.' The text beautifully shifts the spotlight onto figures who walk the paths of holiness not by escaping the world, but by immersing themselves fully in the human adventure." — Catholic Books Review

"An inspiring, immensely enjoyable read. Ellsberg’s unique personal interactions with figures like Dorothy Day ground the book, completely drawing readers into their narratives and making the spiritual journey tangible." — Anne Koester, Pray Tell Blog

"Challenging, meaningful, and life-giving. Ellsberg describes the gradual movement of alignment with God's will with incredible perception and wisdom." — Jim Wallis, Founder of Sojourners

“The Holy Spirit writes no more Gospels except in our hearts. . . . We, if we are holy, are the paper; our sufferings and our actions are the ink. The workings of the Holy Spirit are his pen, and with it he writes a living gospel.”—Jean Pierre de Caussade, SJ, 18^th century

In a number of award-winning books, Robert Ellsberg has reflected on the lives of saints, prophets, and spiritual masters, drawing particular attention to models of holiness that speak to the needs of our time. The message of such figures, as he shows in this new book, is found not only in their writings but in the “text” they wrote with their lives.

Among the particular figures he examines are Dorothy Day, Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, and Flannery O’Connor. He especially holds up the example of holy women, who charted their own path, and those who exemplify a “holiness of the everyday.” In learning how to read the “living gospel” in their stories, he shows how we may learn to read our own lives in the same light.

Robert Ellsberg, Publisher of Orbis Books, is the author of many award-winning books, including All Saints, The Saints’ Guide to Happiness, and Blessed Among Us (based on his daily reflections for Give Us This Day). He has edited the diaries and letters of Dorothy Day, as well as anthologies by Flannery O’Connor, Gandhi, and Pope Francis.

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