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The friendship between Peter and Christ was a rocky road that eventually became a smooth path to God (pg 49).

If you are like me and I suspect you are you struggle daily with being faithful.  Before you run and put on your hair shirt, do not worry God knows that we sin and fall short of his Glory, further, God knows that St. Peter, The Church’s first Pope struggled as well (read chapter 4 and you will understand fully the above quotation). God knows full well the volcanic temperament of St. Paul found in the Acts of the Apostles.

After his conversion, Paul spent several years in the desert prayerfully contemplating his new vocation from God to be an apostle to the gentiles. When he was ready to be a missionary, he traveled to Jerusalem for Peter to confirm him in his preaching and give him a job. Barnabas eased the way for Paul, but Peter saw that Paul was still too controversial and tended to upset matters too much. Peter judged that Paul needed more seasoning in solitude and prayer. Much to the credit of both men, Paul accepted Peter’s instruction to go to Tarsus and await the call (pg 52).

In fact, that is what this title is all about…and oddly enough (perhaps pre-mediated by design) this title has seven chapters which while reading I was reminded of the Church’s seven sacraments probably because of the line that connects our faithfulness to God the his Sacraments and the clouds of grace that come through faithfulness. Fr. McBride has, as usual, delivered an outstanding message in under 100 pages of easy to read text that is perfectly balanced with scriptural and canonical references in a conversational format.  This is an outstanding text! 

Finally, what I found very cool about this text (which I have found in a number of the texts I have reviewed) is that there are both personal and group reflection/study questions at the conclusion of each chapter giving the reader the option to truly reflect on what has been read and each chapter has a “promises” section for you to record both your new and renewed promises to Christ that will help you become and remain faithful to him.  Again I cannot stress the awesomeness of this text!

This review was written as part of the Catholic book reviewer program from The Catholic Company. Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Staying Faithful Today – To God, Ourselves, One An. They are also a great source for a Catechism of the Catholic Church or a Catholic Bible.