Pour lire l'Evangile (How to read the Gospels)

77 pages for a short introduction to the Gospels. Written in 1949, this book summarizes Madeleine's beliefs in the power of the Gospels as well as the importance of the bible. "Pour lire l'Evangile" means how to read and why read the Gospels. We should approach the Gospels not as philosophers or scientists but rather with the mind and heart of children. Jesus simply wants to chat with us. Before starting our reading, it is important to suspend all disbelief. You should have faith, perhaps force yourself gently to believe in the Gospels because the gospel writers also believed in what they were writing. Faith will be strengthened by reading the Gospels. Faith will act as a lever for action. Again and again, Jesus cures the soul before the body. A strong faith moves mountains. The corollary of faith is trust. In our modern age, do we understand what trusting God means? Reading the Gospels teaches us how to pray and also how to meditate: Read slowly and when a word or a sentence "catches" you, memorize it and during the day, think about it. "Nothing great and lasting can be done without prayer". Jesus spent a "long night" in prayer before choosing his disciples. Madeleine also describes the background of the Gospels, the geography of Palestine, the peoples living there and their customs. It is important to put everything in its historical context. She introduces the gospel writers and how they shaped their messages. Recalling that Jesus refers very often to the Old Testament, Madeleine insists that one cannot truly appreciate the Gospels without a good knowledge of the bible. The third part of the book is devoted to the "Mystery of Christ". Why is he man and God? What is the Plan of God? What essential part does Jesus play in history? And when will he come back?