Come and See – Spiritual Reading

The second book we would like to recommend is ‘God Is Not Angry’ & ‘Your Sins Are Forgiven’ by Fr. Ian Petit OSB. It is actually two books in one volume.

‘God Is Not Angry’ is written in an attempt to help people let go of any misunderstandings they have of God.

Fr. Ian Petit says:
“In this book I want to look at some of the common misconceptions; then to spell out what God has done for us; show how the Church proclaims these truths and give some practical hints on how to shape our lives according to what God wishes… I fully realise that not everyone will have experienced Christianity in the same way as I have, but, as a priest, I have met enough whose experience has been very similar to mine; for them I write.”

If you want to know that you are loved by God, this book is for you! Whether your image of God is of an angry policeman, a vague concept of the divine or a loving Father, there will be something here to encourage you in your journey of faith.

The book is 102 pages long and has 6 chapters. It is published in paperback by New Life Publishing (Great Britain, 2004, ISBN 1-903623-15-4) and is priced £7.99. It can be purchased from all good bookshops and is being stocked by St. Paul’s Bookshop, Hinsley Hall, 62 Headingley Lane, Leeds, LS6 2BX. Fax 0113 275 3207 Tel 0113 275 4043. The book is also available at Ampleforth Abbey and Good News Books.

We are planning to read a chapter a week (or two chapters every two weeks if meeting fortnightly) otherwise we’ll be reading the book until Christmas! We begin ‘God Is Not Angry’ the week commencing Monday 10th September

A group at Hinsley Hall begin reading ‘God Is Not Angry’ the week beginning Monday 10th September. We’ll meet every two weeks to discuss a chapter. Why not join us by reading the book yourself and then leaving your comments for us to read?

Comment by Josephine Stow — August 3, 2007

Seems like a great idea. You get far more out of a book by sharing with others, and realising what others have gained from it.

A busy life means I don’t get to read many books. This may prove to be a valuable resource for people like myself who want to know if something is worth reading, highlighting it from the hundreds of books on offer.

Good luck, I hope it proves to be popular!

Comment by Steve Vink — August 10, 2007

I hope to get a group together to begin reading the book on the 10th September, if this does not happen I will read a chapter myself every two week and come back to the site to leave a comment.I am excited about this reading and I know sharing with others will help me.I ordered my book from Good News and I received it within the week. Thank you for this great opportunity to learn and grow together mary matthews

Comment by MARY MATTHEWS — August 23, 2007

I belong to the bookclub meeting at Hinsley Hall. We had our first meeting today and were reflecting on chapter 1.

These are my thoughts… My image of God definatlely has changed over time. I was brought up secure in the knowledge that God loved me. This message was repeated at school. The other message we received was that we had to ‘be good to go to heaven’. This, among other influences, contributed to my understanding that I had to conform to God’s ways in order to earn his love. As an adult I am having to reinterpret what I have absorbed along the way. Ian Petit mentions, in the section on conformity (page 22 & 23), the story of the two men who went up to the temple to pray. I relate to it – proud when I am succeeding, fearful when I am failing. Now I am learning that ‘in Christ we are all acceptable’. It takes the pressure off a bit!! I can even approach Him when I’ve made mistakes.

Petit paints God as merciful and yet not a wimp. I like that. I don’t want God to leave me in a messy state, I want him to lovingly transform me to be fully the person he has created me to be. I just need to remember not to hide from him!!!

Comment by Josephine Stow — September 14, 2007

I too belong to the group meeting at Hinsley Hall. Chapter 1 has given me the opportunity to look again at my image of God. I think it is important to do this often as it changes. My childhood image of a judgemental God has changed to a realisation that the things I feared being judged for are the very things that are attractive to God. My vulnerability and weakness open me up to a relationship with God which is honest, challenging and healing.

Comment by Deirdre Rowe — September 14, 2007

I am from St Thomas Mores Parish in Chickenley.
26 of us have ordered our copies of ‘God is Not Angry’. I for one can’t wait to get started and am looking forward to sharing the experience with others.

Comment by Terry Bell — September 17, 2007

These are a few of the comments from the bookclub meeting in Bingley. We had our first meeting this evening, and not everyone is on e-mail so I have been asked to put in a bit of a general comment, and hopefully those who can will put in their own comments as well. There were seven of us – and we were all around at the time of Vatican 2 and welcomed the changes and the insights that it brought. People talked about earlier images of God, Catholic guilt and difficulties with male only images of God. All seem to be conscious now of a loving God who does wonderful things for us, although it was mentioned that God’s sense of timing could be VERY slow!!!
Also mentioned was the importance of having a relationship with God, with real conversation – and not always good tempered conversation!
Another comment was about the negative influence of comments heard at an early age, in this case hell fire and damnation sermons heard at about the age of six.

Comment by Paddy Spiller — September 17, 2007

Ideas are formed by hearsay but modifies by thinking about what has been said (is this prayer ?) .
Revelation arises from this process perhaps. Perhaps sometimes by a single flash of thought when I ask for the truth to be shown, perhaps not even thinking consciously.
To any one coming back to the church after V2 it could be a revelation, a complete renovation! The best thing since sliced bread!!!

Comment by Hackett & Hall — September 19, 2007

My experience as a daughter and a mother helps me understand the concept of being always lovable, regardless of our behaviour. On the other hand, I think I really do identify with the conformist, to some extent. I often try to do the right thing in my own strength, trying to earn God’s favour.

On page 31, ‘Knowing that he died and rose again is not the same as trusting in that death and resurrection’ – I have no problem at all with the facts, and I know I’ve had real experiences of revelation, but I suppose life has a way of getting in the way, so the revelation that God loves us, regardless of our behaviour and good works, is sometimes hard to hear.

At the end of this chapter, I see the aim is to be aware of our image of God, and to check for inaccuracies, and that’s what I’ll be thinking about until next week.

Comment by Rose Lanigan — September 20, 2007

I too have joined the Bingley group reading our first chapter of “God is not Angry”. It is wonderful to share our thoughts on this great book.Father Ian Petit for me was a great teacher, I can almost hear his voice as I read the book. I look forward to the next meeting. Thank you . Elaine Plunkett.

Comment by elaine plunkett — September 20, 2007

I went to the Hinsley Hall bookclub for the first time today, and I was inspired by the sharing of the others in the group. It is so good to share our faith, and to realise that we all, at some time have the same doubts and fears, and I feel that this is a wonderful opportunity to build up our faith together. I am already looking forward to the next session.
Pat Brown.

Comment by Pat Brown — September 28, 2007

Petit reminded me, in chapter two, that Jesus truly humbled himself when he became human. I cannot begin to comprehend Jesus’ horrific experience, not only of death but also the “second death of God abandonment”.
Contemplating his great love and sacrifice makes me incredibly grateful!

Comment by Josephine Stow — October 3, 2007

I have found it easy in some ways to read this book as Ian Petit writes in a very accessible manner but at the same time I am challenged by some of his reflections.
In the book club last week we discussed the importance of prayer and spoke about the need to pray at all times or to be always tuned in to God’s presence (in the car, ironing, washing up, walking the dog, etc) – but to also make quiet time for God when we can pray more deeply and listen……

Comment by Linda Pennington — October 4, 2007

I found this meeting really challenging. We were discussing where Jesus comes in our lives, and the need for him to be first, all the time.

This can mean a whole shift of emphasis and an uheaval that can fill us with apprehension and at the same time make for a very exciting life!

Comment by Pat Brown — October 13, 2007

We now have two groups running in Bingley, and our group has been looking at chapter three this evening. We talked about faith, and the need to believe, rather than feel, although it is very nice to ‘feel’ that God is there. We talked about the importance of the explanation of what is happening in the Mass and in the sacraments, as this helps people to hear what is said in the prayers, and can be helpful even to those with little or no religious belief.
We also talked about the difference between intellectual knowledge (about such things as church history and how the Gospels were written etc.) which can be fascinating but can also at times be unhelpful, and faith, which is the acceptance of what God has done for us through Jesus and the building of a relationship with Him through prayer and an awareness that He is active in our lives.

Comment by Paddy Spiller — October 15, 2007

There was some discussion in my group about THE NEXT BOOK! The suggestion is the ACTS OF THE APOSTLES, given that everyone will receive a copy at the beginning of Year 3 of Come and See. Discussion points will be provided on this blog. What do you think?

Comment by Josephine Stow — October 23, 2007

A group from the parish of St. Cuthbert and First Martyrs of Rome has been reading ‘God is not Angry’During the months of October and November.At our first meeting (October) we discussed childhood images of God and some members of the group shared memories of the ‘angry’ God they had been brought up to believe in as children. One reader raised in an agnostic family however remembered an image of a loving God holding a child in His hand in a French children’s book she was given entitled ‘Le Bon Dieu’. Perhaps this started the reader on the road toward her Catholic faith? We discussed chapters 1 & 2 at our last meeting (November). Some of the group had problems with the reflection at the end of chapter 1 about conforming and we discussed the idea that great sin merits great forgiveness. We also discussed the difference between ‘doing Christianity’ (going to church, etc) and ‘being’ a Christian (living with an awareness of God’s presence and Christ’s saving love). We meet on the first Tuesday of the month at St Cuthbert’s presbetery on Wilmer Road in Heaton, Bradford. We would like to invite any other local (Bradford) groups or individuals to join us.

Comment by fiona — December 4, 2007