Well-known in Roman Catholic and Russian Byzantine Rite circles for his many works on prayer
and spirituality, Fr. George A. Maloney, SJ, is the author of
many Alba House titles including The Mystery of Christ in You (1998), Your Sins Are Forgiven, (1994),
The Spirit Broods Over the World (1993), God's Incredible Mercy
(1989), Entering the Heart of Jesus (1988), and God's Exploding Love
(1987). Father Maloney is director of Contemplative
Ministries in Seal Beach, California
Reviews
"A book that deals with what Christopher Bellitto would call 'renewal in
membris' is Called To Be Free, Reflections on the Meaning of Christian
Freedom, by George Maloney, S.J. Father Maloney is well known in Roman
Catholic and Russian Byzantine circles for his writings on spirituality
and mysticism. This book takes up a major component of life in Christ --
growth in spiritual freedom, a theme that is central but rarely explored
in contemporary writings on the spiritual life. In Called To Be Free,
Father Maloney begins with freedom as a quality of Trinitarian life and
traces its development in the Scriptures, the Eastern Fathers and the
great mystics. He weaves the key Hebrew concepts about God, Shekinah,
covenant and hesed, throughout his treatment of the topic even to the
end chapter as he writes on the ecological challenge to the spiritual
life of the true disciple. He utilizes insights from Jungian psychology
and the work of Martin Buber in his treatment of theological anthropology.
I found Called To Be Free, Reflections on the Meaning of Christian
Freedom by George Maloney almost contemplative in tone. It is slow reading
and full of intuitive leaps as the author makes his way through the
nature of freedom as a component of spirituality, almost equal to God's
love itself. I recommend the book, but warn that it is not light reading."
--Fr. Don Piaro in The Priest,
July 2002
"Easter Time Reading: The Byzantine icon of Jesus Descent into Hades -- reverenced
in the Eastern Church from the Vigil of the Resurrection until the Ascension -- is the central
image of a new book from spiritual director, author and director of Contemplative Ministries (Seal
Beach, CA), Fr. George A. Maloney, S.J.. Title: Called to Be Free (Reflections on
the Meaning of Christian Freedom). Content is drawn, says the author, from reflections gathered
in study and prayer 'through Holy Scripture' (especially St. John and St. Paul), the writings of
the early Eastern Fathers and great mystics of the Church. The text of 8 chapters was never
intended to be a philosophical treatment of freedom. At the heart of the text -- the value of
contemplation -- "Like Lazarus we are always coming forth from the darkness of our dead selves
into the light of Christ's presence... freedom is ultimately gained when we act as free persons
in Christ." --Crux of the News, April 9, 2001
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