Windows Into the Life of a Priest. Dieser Artikel ist nicht verfügbar.Windows Into the Life of a Priest

Father Robert A. Lange s engaging memoir, Windows into the Life of a Priest, supplies exactly what the book s title indicates, namely, an anecdotal account of one man s Catholic priesthood. While it is autobiographical in the sense that it is based largely on Father Lange s life and experiences as a priest, the aim and purpose of the book belong more to the realm of Catholic faith and devotion generally, and, indeed, to that of Catholic apologetics, giving reasons for the faith, offering a defense...for the hope that is in [us] (1 Pet 3:13).

Among other things, Father Lange turns out to be quite an effective apologist for the faith. At various times in the text, Father Lange remarks, in effect, that It s not about me! Rather, it s about faith and God s grace, how important and indeed necessary they are, and how they literally make life worth living. Father Lange certainly shows that they have made his life worth living and worth recounting too, for the benefit of others, especially for those he calls wayward Christians. If God could save him and by save here is meant not only eternal salvation, but rescue from an aimless and empty life here and now why could he not save you or me as well? That, in fact, is precisely what God wants to do for all of us; he wants to save us from ourselves if only you and I will respond to his love, abundantly offered to everyone, and cooperate! This is an important part of the message that Father Lange never tires of repeating.

Kenneth D. Whitehead