I was so happy to read this book. I've been introduced to Dorothy Day as a person who Did Things, for example and especially spearheading the Catholic Worker movement and founding the Catholic Worker houses. In this small and welcoming book, I met Dorothy Day as a person who also Thought Things. I feel more as if I know her now.
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A short little collection of Day's writings, uniquely gathered together and (sort of) organized around several topics by the folks who bring you Plough magazine. Perfect for those who might like to read something for a morning or evening devotion time but who find much of what one finds on the devotional shelves at most Christian bookstores to be banal or trite. No easy answers here. But the reckless way of love is never easy. ( )

A short little collection of Day's writings, uniquely gathered together and (sort of) organized around several topics by the folks who bring you Plough magazine. Perfect for those who might like to read something for a morning or evening devotion time but who find much of what one finds on the devotional shelves at most Christian bookstores to be banal or trite. No easy answers here. But the reckless way of love is never easy. ( )

Summary: A collection of Dorothy Day's writings on following Jesus in the ways of faith, love, prayer, life, and community.

One thinks of Dorothy Day as an activist writer and advocate for the poor, running homes of hospitality, communes, and getting arrested even in her seventies. What is less apparent is the deep spirituality that sustained her activism. This book, one of Plough's Spiritual Guides, distills writings from her different books that cumulatively describe the ordinary life of following Jesus among the poor.

The excerpts are organized around five "ways" or themes: of faith, of love, of prayer, of life, and of community.

In the chapters on faith, we encounter both her implicit belief in the mysteries of the faith and the sacraments, and yet her struggle to trust and depend in the welter of daily interactions and work. She writes,

"I suppose it is a grace not to be able to have time to take or derive satisfaction in the work we are doing. In what time I have, my impulse is to self-criticism and examination of conscience, and I am constantly humiliated at my own imperfections and at my halting progress. Perhaps I deceive myself here, too, and excuse my lack of recollection. But I do know how small I am and how little I can do and I beg you, Lord, to help me, for I cannot help myself" (pp. 14-15).

Often, Day's reflections come with pithy challenges. We see the intensity of her love for God and the wonder that God sets his love on the likes of us and then observes, "It is a terrible thought--'we love God as much as the one we love the least' " (p.36). Or she surprises us with her breaks with convention such as when she writes on prayer: "I do not have to retire to my room to pray. It is enough to get out and walk in the wilderness of the streets" (p. 44).

"The way of life" reminds us "never to get discouraged at the slowness of people or results" (p. 63). She writes of deepening perceptions of unworldly justice that does not seek its own, that for a Christian social order, "we must first have Christians" (p.66), and how, apart from the light of Christ, we often do not know ourselves or our secret sins. She writes at length on the indispensable role of suffering in our lives.

The final portion focuses on life in community. Day writes of efforts in community with grittiness and realism. Disappointments. Betrayals. Plain hard work and long hours. Yet even so, she longs for bigger houses, more room for discussions, a library, "a Christ room." She recognizes desperately her need for the presence of God in all the ordinary places. In the end, it is community that addresses our desolation. She concludes, "We have all known the long loneliness and we have learned that the only solution is love and that love comes with community" (p. 120).

This is the second book in the Spiritual Guides series I've reviewed, the earlier being The Scandal of Redemption by Oscar Romero. These are small books only in size. Each is well-edited by Carolyn Kurtz. This, in particular, required culling passages from a number of Day's works along each of the themes into coherent chapters. Eye-catching cover art, end papers, and typography make these delightful books to hold and read.

I found myself often mulling over a single line, such as this one: "We have the greatest weapons in the world, greater than any hydrogen or atom bomb, and they are the weapons of poverty and prayer, fasting and alms, the reckless spending of ourselves in God's service and for his poor" (p.69). I mused again and again what a different face Christians would present to the world if we lived as Day did rather than jockeying for positions and influence and concealing our flawed character rather than exposing it to the grace of God. Reading Day gives me hope that ordinary Christians with all our flaws and struggles may yet walk the ways of faith, hope, and love, offering something beautiful for God and to the world.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. ( )

I won this in a GOODREADS giveaway - The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus by Dorothy Day... perfect little book for Lent. ( )

Dorothy Day-- author, social worker, advocate for the poor, devoted Christian-- is remembered in this slim volume with a series of chapters containing her various musings and prayers on several topics. She meditates on love, suffering, service, thanksgiving and others. The compilation was edited by Caroline Kurtz with notations on the sources used from Day's published books.

This book wasn't so much a collection of uplifting thoughts as an almost diaristic collection of excerpts from Dorothy Day's writing and letters, I believe including actual diary excerpts in some instances. I knew going in that Dorothy Day was a Catholic social activist, possibly controversial in the church. What the book presents is a portrait of a woman who spent her life trying to do good, and the personal struggles she experienced within, including examination of her reasons for doing so. It was a portrait of how it isn't always easy to help others, and it certainly wouldn't be easy to make it your life's work. Some of the writings were about how you wish that people would react differently, more appreciative, making more of your efforts, and some were about how she recognized that as a flaw in herself. Sometimes, reading, I thought that she should have been more compassionate towards someone, or more humble, and yet she devoted her entire life to helping people, and I haven't, and it made me think of the internal struggles that might cause you, as you strove to live out that sort of life. It isn't an easy collection you can dip into when you need to be uplifted, but it is a thought-provoking book about what living a Christian life can really mean. ( )

I often request books I've never heard of, thinking they might be interesting and I could write a good review. This is a book I've been wanting for a long time and it did not disappoint. Whether Dorothy Day is your role model or not, you will find ideas, guidance, and most of all, your path to following Jesus. It is so honest and not at all proscriptive. No doctrine or dogmatics, just love and encouragement. And it is challenging. Faith, love, prayer, life and community shared in such an authentic way. I wish my journal read as well. An important affirmation from her: following Jesus is no easy task and it is filled wit joy. ( )

As previous reviewers have noted this book is a collection of excerpts from the writings of Dorothy Day. It is more of a devotional book and is probably not best read in one sitting. As well as private prayer I could see the quotes being used as discussion starters in study groups. I am a strong admirer of Dorothy Day and her radical commitment to actively living God's call in her life. The quoted material in this book is inspiring but overall the book was a bit frustrating for me because I want more than the quick quote. Recently I read [The Duty of Delight: The Dairies of Dorothy Day] which helped me experience the beauty and depth of her spirituality. The two books are very different but if you want to know more of Dorothy Day both her autobiography [The Long Loneliness] and the journals might be a better choice. ( )

This brief book of thematically arranged excerpts from Dorothy Day's writing is just what I needed. As I read the selections each day, they seemed to speak to our collective current situation and to my own individual concerns. Ranging from early in her life to the end of her life, there are words of inspiration for every one who searches for a way to live their faith today. ( )

“The Reckless Way of Love” is a devotional consisting of selections from the writings of Dorothy Day. The subtitle, “Notes on Following Jesus” aptly describes the underlining spirit of the book.

The compiler, Carolyn Kurtz, has divided the book into five thematic sections:

The way of: Faith, Love, Prayer, Life, and Community.

This book is a practical book; in that it is a call to action, and not merely a reflection. Certainly I would be surprised if one would not be moved, or at least challenged, upon reading it.
The book reminded me, in its easy conversational tone, of another spiritual devotional work found in St. Faustina’s “Divine Mercy” diary.

It is a book not to be devoured in one sitting despite being relatively short at 149 pages, but best read a little bit at a time. In that manner, it is a great bed-side book, and would be a fitting book for daily Lenten reading.

I’d highly recommend this book both as personal reading, and as a gift to others. ( )

I got this as an Early Reviewer book. It is a collection of short excerpts from her writings all on strictly spiritual matters with very little touching on the social activism that she was famous for. It's well organized, but like all such books, it is probably better to take it in short chunks than to read it straight through. I was a little familiar with the name of Dorothy Day but didn't really know much about her. When I requested the book I was hoping to learn more. While this book gives a very clear picture on the matters of her Catholic faith that were very important to her, it seems to be an incomplete picture. As a guide to spiritual reflection it's very good. But as a book to learn about her life and works, I'm sure there are better books out there.

I received this book as an Early Reviewer.

The thoughts and writings of Servant of God Dorothy Day are an inspiration and a challenge to the reader. This compilation was well organized and flowed nicely. It's been a perfect companion during Lent.

My one point of contention is with the author of the Introduction. I found it to be more about her than Day and much to long. The "To The Reader" intro would have been sufficient. ( )

I received this book as a member of Early Reviewers

This book is a collection of excerpts from the writing of Dorothy Day. A Benedictine Oblate, social activist, co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, and journalist, Dorthy Day has much to say on a variety of topics. The selections are brief but insightful.

Each excerpt has a citation so interested readers may engage in a more in depth manner should they wish.

This book is a good addition to topical meditations, and the compiler, Carolyn Kurtz, did an excellent job in gathering a wide selection. ( )

"The Reckless Way of Love: Notes on Following Jesus" is a collection of short excerpts (no more than a paragraph or two) from the writings of Dorothy Day, the activist, pacifist, someday saint? and co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement.

The quotes are arranged topically under headings related to faith, love, prayer, life, and community and introduced with a short essay by D.L Mayfield. The sources run the gamut from Day's biography to notes she took while on retreat, and I was gratified to find a list citing each excerpt in the back of the book.

This short collection hardly does justice to Day's thoughts on these topics, but it's not meant to. Anyone familiar with Day's writings would be happy to have this book for use in personal reflection, while those who have not yet met Day will find it a good introduction to her spirituality that may prompt them to pick up one of her books.

NB: I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. ( )