Gary Zimak is one of those rare people who can share profoundly deep insights, but in the language of the break room; and that's exactly what we need in these days of the New Evangelization! I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of his latest book, Listen to Your Blessed Mother: Mary's Words in Scripture
; and Gary has crafted another winner.
In it, he gives us a program of Christian life, drawn wholly from the words of Mary. "What? She only spoke like four times in the Bible!" I know, but as Gary shows, it is the depth of Mary's recorded words, and the actions that accompanied them, that fully encapsulate the life of the believer. Throughout the book he moves flawlessly back and forth from reflection to real-life application.
What I love most about this book is how tenaciously Gary digs into Mary's words - we're talking five chapters on the Magnificat alone! Could you do that? I couldn't. That's what makes this book fantastic though: he did the work, and we reap the benefits - the Communion of Saints in action. What else can you expect to find? Three chapters covering the Annunciation, two for the Finding in the Temple, two on the Marriage at Cana, and five drawing lessons from Mary's other (silent) appearances in the gospels and Acts. This book has me excited - I want to do a couple of posts this week sparked by Gary's insights.
The book will be released on August 15th, the Feast of the Assumption; but I was shocked to see Amazon offering 25% off on pre-orders ($9.74 instead of $12.99). I don't know how long they plan to do that; but it's a steal. Hope you can take advantage of it.
I have looked forward to reading this book since I first caught wind of it several months ago on Facebook. Gary's Following The Truth website, articles, and radio visits are fantastic, so I had the bar set pretty high for his first book; and I have to tell you, Gary sailed over it. A Worrier's Guide to the Bible: 50 Verses to Ease Anxieties
is on my Christmas list for quite a few people.
It's a subject that is always relevant but at this moment in history, when our Church, country, and world seem deluged by difficulties, Gary brings the message of Scripture to us in a fresh, honest, energizing way. As the subtitle of the book says, Gary unpacks 50 Bible verses that, if interiorized, will free us from worry and anxiety. This isn't pop psychology but an opportunity to ground ourselves in God's truth, the really Real. "These are [the Lord's] words and they mean something. Like a parent who responds to a child’s 'why?' with, 'Because I said so,' the Lord is telling us not to worry about these things. And looking at this realistically, doesn’t it make sense that the Lord knows best? ... let’s look at why Jesus’ advice is solid and how it can be followed."
And Gary does exactly that, illuminating each of the 50 verses with unflinchingly honest stories from his and his family's lives. Having read Gary's blog for some time, I can tell you that he is no stranger to trials. "Hard-wired for worry," Gary has been learning about God's desire to calm our fears and carry us through for decades. He has grouped the 50 verses that have spoken most deeply to him into seven areas: Confusion, Despair, Doubt, Fear, Persecution, Sickness, Trials &Tribulations. What a great way for readers to find what they need in the heat of the moment!
I was impressed by the pattern Gary chose for the book. First, he quotes one of the 50 verses. Next, he digs into it, explaining its original context and how it has been understood by the saints down through the centuries. Then he shows how God used this truth to help set him free from anxiety. And finally, and most importantly, he puts the reader directly into contact with God, leading them in prayer that the Lord seal this truth in their hearts. That's lectio divina, an ancient form of prayer - read Scripture, meditate deeply on its message, and speak to the Lord in response, so as to achieve a transforming union with Him (contemplation)!
Let me finish by saying that Gary Zimak is a gifted writer. He is able to weave profound ideas into stories that anyone can relate to - comforting, encouraging, and challenging us as he goes. I believe that A Worrier's Guide to the Bible is destined to do a lot of good.
