Only a few days before Christmas may not be the most pragmatic time to release a new book, but spiritually it seems very appropriate that it has come to maturity at precisely such a moment: I am happy to share with you the release of another 33 Days to Entrustment book, this time directed toward our spiritual father and the custodian of the Holy Family, Saint Joseph. For a little glimpse of the contents of Icon of the Father: 33 Days to Entrustment to Saint Joseph, here is the summary:
“In this book, I want to provide a complementary image, developing on the relationships that have deepened through the contemplative love and prayer that Sheltered within Her Heart sought to open up. As that book sought to be only an aid to a deeper entrustment to Mary, and, with her, in her, and through her, to the immeasurable love of the Trinity himself, so this book seeks to be only an aid to growing in understanding of, and reverence for, Saint Joseph, and thus an invitation to deeper relationship with him. Through both of them, Mary and Joseph, we find the Trinity’s life in a particular way made accessible to us, unveiled before us, and inviting us. What Mary illumines from the perspective of femininity, Joseph illumines from that of masculinity. Thus these two books can be understood as a diptych, a two-paneled image centered upon the hinge-point of Christ.
Joseph finds himself caught up in a mystery that so far surpasses him, and yet which cradles him with incredible tenderness and intimacy, and all the resources of his humanity are harnessed in sheltering and loving the Blessed Virgin and the Child conceived and born of her. Thus he is a custodian of the mysteries of God, and he invites all of us to “step into his shoes,” to learn to love as he loved, and indeed also to entrust ourselves to his care, to be sheltered and loved, fathered and protected by him, just as were Mary and Jesus.”
A particular theme of these reflections is coming to understand the Church in the light of the Holy Family, who is, as it were, the “Church in miniature,” the little family that illumines for us the great, universal family. Here, in the intimacy of mother, Child, and father, all is personal, all is concrete, like all the rays of light that are spread abroad throughout history are here contained, in all their specific fullness, in the breathtakingly beautiful communion of the three-in-one who reflect, as an icon or created image, the eternal Three-in-One of our God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I am also releasing, concurrently, a collection called the “Triptych,” which includes in one hardcover volume the three books Sheltered Within Her Heart, Icon of the Father, and Responding to the Thirst of God. This is another option if you prefer that format over the slim volume. I have long been aware that these three “days” books form a kind of triptych, a three-paneled image, seeking to illumine the central mysteries of our faith from different but complementary angles.
We currently don’t have any in stock, but the books are available for order nonetheless, just know that it will take a while longer for your copy to come in, for we need to get the stock ourselves! If you want them more immediately, know that they are also available on amazon, though we will receive less royalty that way. The choice is yours!
