The Gospel of Love According to Juan/a

THE GOSPEL OF LOVE ACCORDING TO JUAN/A (Published in 2017 by ST PAULS PHILIPPINES)

ISBN 978-971-004-35502

About the Book:

Every Juan/a finds him/herself trapped in extremely painful and cruel circumstances once in a while. What keeps Juan/a going in the face of life-changing situations like natural or man-made disasters, terrorism and violence, illness and death, abject poverty and hunger, social marginalization and rejection?

This third installment in The Gospel According to Juan/a series explores the nature of hope and hopelessness through storytelling. Gabriel Marcel’s “Sketch of a Phenomenology and a Metaphysics of Hope” is juxtaposed with biblical passages in framing this collection of true-to-life stories and personal essays. Philosophical and biblical thoughts on hope come to life in everyday struggles of Juan/a. In the end, one realizes that hope springs eternal in places where love abounds.

Reviews:

The Gospel of Love According to Juan/a has deeply moved me as a priest, as a poet, as an activist, and even as an anthropologist. Almost every story in this book is at once a Biblical reflection, a cultural dialogue, an intimate prayer, and a literary gem. The book awakens me to the good news of love even in the sad tweets of current events, to rediscover what the poet Hopkins calls “the dearest freshness deep down things.” I venture to say that The Gospel of Love According to Juan/a, together with its precursor, The Gospel of Mercy According to Juan/a, is the face of the future of grounded spirituality. This is sacred literature!

Albert E. Alejo, SJ, Author of Ehemplo: Spirituality of Shared Integrity in Philippine Church and Society; Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University

In this beautiful book, I have come to so many realizations about God’s love just by reading the inspiring true-to-life stories. On a deeper level, I found the book very helpful because in all its simplicity, it serves as a manual that teaches one how to look at ordinary things, people, events, even animals, and discover in them the mighty, loving, merciful God.

Fr. Luciano Ariel Felloni, Philippines-based Argentine Missionary; Parish Priest, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish (Diocese of Novaliches)

Every day we encounter people, even angels, and find ourselves in situations that inspire us, help us, and guide us. The stories generously shared with us in this book, of people from different walks of life, are a confirmation. Reading them and experiencing their moments enlightened and reminded me that love truly knows no boundaries.

I am touched by grace and grateful to have had the chance to encounter these acts of love in this book and I would definitely like to spread it. And for me, just like Juan/a tell us, God is love. AMDG.

Ms. Cherry Pie Picache, Multi-awarded Actress and Screenwriter