A Tree Full of Angels: Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary

Macrina Wiederkehr's "A Tree Full of Angels" is not a book to start if you only have a short time to read it. Some of it will be read quickly, but you will want to linger over other sections. Coming to it, I was encouraged by the subtitle: "Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary." Having worked on doing just that for the past few years, I was anxious to see what Macrina had to offer. She has much to offer, indeed. Here are a few glimpses, written with the hope that you will want to see the full spectrum: 1. HOME - Macrina writes that "Home is the place where we are loved even when we are not perfect and where we don't have to be finished." 2. QUESTIONS: The questions I find in any book are interesting to me. Questions raised about HOME in this book include, "Where do you feel at home?" "Do you ever feel like running away from home?" "Have you ever heard a call to return home?" Macrina addsthat we sometimes need to be reminded that we can ask questions about things once considered "written in stone." 3. CONVERSION: I found a kindred spirit in Macrina when she wrote that conversion is not instant, like fast food, so much as it is ongoing. 4. JOURNALING: Macrina writes of journaling in the context of her discussion of Lectio Divina (spiritual reading). If you journal, you are likely to find her discussion of journaling and how she does it, meaningful. If you do not journal but have considered doing so, Macrina's words may be the tipping point to get you started. 5. A TREE FULL OF ANGELS - The title of the book comes from a vision seen in a tree with colorful autumn leaves. Macrina points out that there is a difference between a vision and a mirage. This is only a sample of what I found in "A Tree Full of Angels." I hope that it is enough to pique your interest and lead you to have a look at the book.

As a former Catholic, I am always surprised to find one, especially a "nun" or monk as she is, that is so close to Jesus Christ and so right-on spiritually! The other Catholic writer that I enjoy is Henri Nouwen.Also, as an M.A. in psychology, I would say that she is right-on in her down-to-earth descriptions of how a person loses them-self in the process of the conditioning of the world and of a dysfunctional family of one's origin. Her language is easy to understand and invites one to enter into the process of finding oneself in and through the journey toward knowing God. There's nothing complicated to get bogged down in, and one feels comforted, and encouraged to "become present" to life.I am so glad that a friend introduced her book to me, and am currently reading it the second time.What's amazing about Macrina is how she is able to help people focus on themselves while at the same time they are focusing on God--it's not either/or; you don't have to feel that you must "hate yourself" in order to pursue God, because it's a dance between two beautiful, beloved "creatures".If you feel that you need healing from damaging "religion" you had forced on you in childhood, I think you will find this book very safe, and greatly facilitative of healing--I did!

There is a lot of beauty in this book, but there were enough borderline or overtly problematic statements that made our book club members uncomfortable that we actually stopped reading it early (which we’ve never done) and recycle them.

Macrina Wiederkehr's books always return me to the simplicity found in Christ, the awesome glory and beauty of His creation, and the fullness of joy found in serving Him. The subtitle: Seeing the Holy in the Ordinary is just what this book helps the reader do. As I said in the review title I've already mailed 4 copies out to friends and family. Something I seldom do because I'm a big reader and it has to be really good to use money to mail to others. Otherwise I'd be sending something weekly. In a nutshell, this book helps me find my center again each time I pick it up. All the burdens of the world drop off my shoulders one by one.

This is a beautiful little book for those on a spiritual path. Ms Wiederkehr is a poet and a talented writer of prose. This book helps one to look upon the tasks of every day life and see the holy in the ordinary. It is a book that helps one to slow down from the rapid pace of today's life to begin to see with depth and find treasures as we begin to see in a different manner. She writes in an opening paragraph that this is a book about harvesting angels out of the crumbs of our dailiness.

I'm a very spiritual person i wouldnt say necessarily religious even though this book has those moments. Anyhow i started reading this book and contemplating about life and everything in general trying to adapt my life and my views to what i read on this book and a bunch of incredible things started to happen to me. Work wise and overall in general i started becoming more and more lucky as i went along reading it. I would def recommend it and if good things start to happen and pop out of no where its this book that brought you the luck like it did for me.

Deep, difficult to read, but if you stick with it and re-read, it is a gift! Many people would give up on it, but I did the book with a group, so we were able to go slower and take it apart chapter by chapter...sometimes...just a few pages at a time. I do go back to it frequently.

Another simple, wise, inspiring book by Wiederkehr. Her honesty and vulnerability should be inspiring to most people on a religious journey. Sharing her inmost struggles, doubts and beautiful victories, this wonderful child of God continues book after book to teach and guide us.

The author writes in such a way that this reader felt she was having a conversation with the writer, perhaps while on a walk in the countryside. It's an understated style that nonetheless makes its point clearly. I found it personally very helpful that the writer shared personal thoughts, feelings and experiences. It helped make sense of what had been just a vague outline, an outline underscored by a series of "ought"s and "should"s. There are no oughts or shoulds in this book; it sets the reader free to pursue suggestions or not. The author has written several books on similar themes and all of these books are well worth reading - and more than once.

I will never lend this to anyone it's too good to give away. I just keep giving everyone the title etc.

This book has prompted very helpful reflection and been a springboard for group discussion. A reminder to look around me more carefully and gratefully.

I have only read the first page yet. I know I will like it

This is a beautifully written book to be read slowly and to go back to.