The Gospel of Mercy According to Juan/a

THE GOSPEL OF HOPE ACCORDING TO JUAN/A (Published in 2016 by ST PAULS PHILIPPINES)

ISBN 978-971-004-293-7

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:

“For sure, in The Gospel of Mercy According to Juan/a, we have in our hands perhaps the best Philippine ‘by-product/blessing’ of the Year of Mercy. A book of many stories — drawn from real life! — joined with some brief essays of serious reflection. It is co-authored by a young bishop who is both a highly qualified— and creative—biblical scholar and devoted pastor, and a gifted lady-academician, but one with real ‘apostolic fire’ in her heart. And both writers have, happily, a genuine talent for storytelling. What they have given us is a book well worth reading, with depth and delight; one which moves and inspires in many of its pages. This is a book which, without doubt, will do much good and be of much service; of much use for classroom and study-groups also. (Teachers, alerted!)

A real gift, from authors with much mercy and compassion in mind, heart, and written word; so timely, in this ongoing YEAR OF MERCY!”

CATALINO G. AREVALO, S.J.,  Emeritus Professor of Theology, Loyola School of Theology

Many scholarly studies have already provided us with profound insights about the mercy of God, especially as revealed in Scriptures and expounded in the teachings of Church authorities. The Jubilee of Mercy proclaimed by Pope Francis has been gifting us with more such reflections, as well as initiatives on how to act mercifully. I consider the present collection of stories by Bishop Ambo and Nina as God’s gift of mercy to us on this Jubilee. These two scholars, who are both most capable of presenting theories about mercy, opted to tell stories—and gripping stories at that. By this choice they remind us that generations of people have seen the merciful face of God in God´s involvement in their stories. Reading the stories recounted by Bishop Ambo and Nina, I felt they were sharing their friends with me. These friends have made me realize that the poor have been giving me much more than I have given to them, that the weak have been strengthening me all along, and that the sorrowful have been teaching me faith and hope. Their stories are a testament to the transforming power of God´s mercy. And I am blessed to have seen, heard, and touched God again in their stories and in my humble poor story, too. Thanks Bishop Ambo, Nina, and your friends, the storytellers of mercy!

+ Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila

Reading the essays and stories in this book has been for me an eye-opener, an encounter with grace. The authors narrate story after story, engaging the reader till—like them—we begin to see how Jesus works in our everyday life through others. In a world that has seemingly gone dark, where darkness is in men’s eyes, there is much need of Mercy. The Gospel of Mercy According to Juan/a addresses that need, brings us to see how the light of Jesus continues to enkindle the world through those who have received his mercy. In this Year of Mercy, this book is very timely!

Ms. Laurice Guillen, Multi-awarded Filmmaker, Actress, and Writer