Of Passion And Folly: A Scriptural Foundation For Peace

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". Jesus' words are clear. Yet for centuries, we have made exceptions to this command to love and to practice peace: we seek the goal of peace but avoid the means of peace. "Of Passion and Folly" helps us move from merely desiring peace to deliberately choosing peace.

In Of Passion and Folly Sr. Patricia McCarthy, C.N.D., demonstrates that -- through Scripture, the sacraments, and the formation of the conscience through prayer and action, and in community with each other -- we can walk along Jesus' way, the way of peace. She opens the door to a transformation from violence to peace by emphasizing the need for education in the spirituality rooted in the gospel and in the tradition and sacramental life of the Church.

The underlying conviction Sr. Patricia brings to Of Passion and Folly is that the work of peace is integral to the message of Christ's teachings and life. The spirituality of peace, which cannot co-exist with violence of any kind, is found within the gospel although it has often been buried under the just war tradition of our Church. In order to be whole in our response to Jesus Christ, she challenges us to reexamine our attitudes and be willing to re-look at prayer, the sacraments, Eucharist, penance, business practices, social life, parenting, lifestyles, and consumerism in light of Jesus' command to love one another, even our enemies.

Written for a Catholic audience, Of Passion and Folly is a valuable tool for directors of adult education in parishes, for teachers and chaplains in high schools and colleges, for those involved in the RCIA, and for peace action groups.