"The Way"

St. Josemaría Escrivá

The Way contains 999 points for meditation, arranged in 46 chapters. Why 999? St. Josemaría called it "a rather candid devotion to the Trinity."

First published in 1939, over four million copies sold in more than 40 languages.

The first point sets the tone:

"Don't let your life be barren. Be useful. Make yourself felt. Shine forth with the torch of your faith and your love. With your apostolic life, wipe out the trail of filth and slime left by the corrupt sowers of hatred. And set aflame all the ways of the earth with the fire of Christ that you bear in your heart."

This is not a book for passive readers.


I. Be a Man of Character

"Don't say, 'That's the way I am — it's my character.' It's your lack of character. Esto vir! — Be a man!" (#4)

"Be firm. Be virile. Be a man. And then… be a saint." (#22)

"Get used to saying No." (#5)

Excuses are weakness dressed up as personality. Real masculinity isn't temperament — it's discipline, virtue, the courage to say no to yourself.

"Maturity. Stop making faces and acting up like a child! Your bearing ought to reflect the peace and order in your soul." (#3)

Discussion: What excuse have you been making that's really lack of character? Where do you need to start saying "no"?


II. The Interior Battle

"The life of man upon earth is warfare. So said Job many centuries ago. There are still some easygoing individuals unaware of this fact." (#306)

"Don't be troubled if you hear that other voice, the intimate, insinuating voice of your 'old self.' It is 'the body of death' crying out for its lost rights. His grace is sufficient for you: be faithful and you will conquer."

"Compromise is a word found only in the vocabulary of those who have no will to fight."

Every man faces two voices — the new man in Christ and the old man of sin. The battle is real, daily, lifelong. No civilians.

Discussion: Where have you been "easygoing" about the spiritual battle? Where have you compromised?


III. Perseverance — The Mark of Saints

"To begin is for everyone. To persevere is for saints."

"Persevere in doing good, and shrug your shoulders."

"Excuses. You'll never lack them if you want to avoid your duties. Don't stop to think about excuses. Get rid of them and do what you should." (#21)

Starting is easy. Anyone can begin a diet, a prayer routine, a resolution. The saint keeps going when it's hard, boring, or unrewarded.

"To reform. Every day a little. This has to be your constant task if you really want to become a saint." (#290)

Discussion: Where have you started well but failed to persevere? What do you need to pick back up?


Closing Challenge

"May your behavior and your conversation be such that everyone who sees or hears you can say: This man reads the life of Jesus Christ." (#2)

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