Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word

To the unstudied eye, Matthew's gospel can seem a terse narrative, almost a historical document and not the tremendously spiritual (and doctrinal) storehouse that it is. Erasmo Leiva here acts as our guide, showing Matthew's prose to be not terse so much as economical--astoundingly so given its depth. The lay reader can derive great profit from reading this. Each short meditation comments on a verse or two, pointing to some facet of the text not immediately apparent.

Leiva's work is scholarly but eminently approachable by the non-technical reader. The tone is very much gustate et videte, quoniam suavis est Dominus [taste and see how good the Lord is]-as it is "friend, come up higher!". The goal of the book is to help the reader experience the heat of the divine heart/the light of the divine Word.

Leiva points to Matthew's gospel as being deeply ecclesial because it is first Christological. He comments on the Greek text, demonstrating to the reader nuances in the text that defy translation into English without serious revision of the text. Leiva uses linguistic analysis to aid the non-Greek reader with the literal meaning of the text; numerous quotes from the Fathers and the liturgy of the church demonstrate the way the Tradition has lived and read the Word of God. His theological reflection vivifies doctrine by seeking its roots in the words and actions of Jesus.

“'Fire of Mercy has become a classic of Catholic culture. It is certainly original, like no other meditation on the Scriptures you will ever read." - John Saward , Author, The Beauty of Holiness "This is a biblical commentary with scholarship and, above all, a prayerfulness that is a great gift to the Church. " - Sister Wendy Beckett, OCD "These reflections on Matthew open out onto such staggering vistas of radiance - or shall I say rather, penetrate to such mother lodes of treasure - that one is brought to a halt, over and over: rebuked, instructed, illuminated, and searched." - Thomas Howard , Author of Chance or Dance? "No resource has helped me more than this series to enter prayerfully into the heart of the Gospel as a disciple, shepherd and minister of the Word. It opens up the inexhaustible treasure of God's word in such a way that you cannot help but come to know the Lord Jesus, our faith and yourself much better. A work not only for our time but for all time." - Fr. Roger Landry , Pastor and Chaplain of Catholic Voices USA”

'Fire of Mercy has become a classic of Catholic culture. It is certainly original, like no other meditation on the Scriptures you will ever read."
- John Saward, Author, The Beauty of Holiness

"This is a biblical commentary with scholarship and, above all, a prayerfulness that is a great gift to the Church. "
- Sister Wendy Beckett, OCD

"These reflections on Matthew open out onto such staggering vistas of radiance - or shall I say rather, penetrate to such mother lodes of treasure - that one is brought to a halt, over and over: rebuked, instructed, illuminated, and searched."
- Thomas Howard, Author of Chance or Dance?

"No resource has helped me more than this series to enter prayerfully into the heart of the Gospel as a disciple, shepherd and minister of the Word. It opens up the inexhaustible treasure of God's word in such a way that you cannot help but come to know the Lord Jesus, our faith and yourself much better. A work not only for our time but for all time."
- Fr. Roger Landry, Pastor and Chaplain of Catholic Voices USA

Father Simeon, O.C.S.O. (formerly Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis) obtained his Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Theology from Emory University. Formerly a Professor of Literature and Theology at the University of San Francisco, he is now a Trappist monk at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Mass. In addition to Vols. 1 & 2 of Fire of Mercy, he is the author of several other books including The Way of the Discipleand Love's Sacred Order.

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