Table of Contents
Foreword Dr. Scott Hahn 9
Introduction 13
The Search for Intimacy 13
Beginning the Journey 16
Extending Diaconal Spirituality to the Laity 21
Chapter 1 The Primacy of the Interior Life 25
The Interior Life as a Place of Encounter 27
The Distinctiveness of Diaconal Spirituality 30
The Importance of Empathy 33
Struggle in the Spiritual Life 36
The Unholy Trinity and Sloth 37
Grace Is the Remedy 41
Surrender Is Abandonment 43
Struggle as a Way of Perfection 45
Chapter 2 The Necessity of Abandonment 53
Awareness of the Ever-Present God 59
Gods Hidden Operations 62
The Sacrament of the Present Moment 69
Chapter 3 The Servant Mysteries 75
A Beauty That Wounds 76
Keeping Open the Wounds 83
Internalizing the Servant Mysteries 94
Applying the Sacrament of the Present Moment 97
Chapter 4 Living the Servant Mysteries 103
Revealing the Origins of the Diaconate 105
Reconciling Acts 6 with the Establishment 111
Relationship, Identity, and Mission 112
Putting It All Together 120
Prayer of Abandonment and Little Examen 124
Conclusion 129
Appendix 131