Published in 2006, who knew Scott Hahn was an Opus Dei member?! I love Scott Hahn, so this speaks well for Opus Dei. :-)

This book was accessible Scott Hahn, which is to say that I had to push myself to get through it but I was able to finish. The theology is mixed with personal stories from his life, which made it more accessible to me. I love catholic theology, but don't have a brain for some of the hardcore stuff.

While reading this book, I was attracted to the holiness, authenticity and all-in spirituality of Opus Dei. They bestow such dignity on the ordinary work of daily life by sanctifying it for God! "The Work" seems to me like it could also be called the Theology of Work (similar to the theology of the body, which uses the body to understand profound theological truths). I appreciated the insight into the daily prayers, weekly and annual activities of Opus Dei members. It seems old-fashioned and yet ever new. Just like the gospel - ever ancient and ever new.

Reading this book turned my mind to holiness and sanctified my work, hobbies and passions as I offered them to God in meaningful ways. It was deeply moving and effective spiritual writing to ponder. I put this book aside for a while and I could feel a shift when I returned to it.

I especially appreciated the section on Friendship. Who am I currently interacting with??? I also found the notion of secularity (focusing on the good in nature, the world and non-believers) vs. secularism (excluding God) very interesting. I have never encountered that idea before. And I loved the idea of "turning up the romance" in your home and in your spiritual life. How inspiring!

Personal note: In this season of life, I am struggling with post-covid effects as well as the general isolation and frustrations caused by shutdowns. I find my mind and manners failing me. I see my housework as The Work set before me, but I also see myself failing at it constantly. And failing to be cheerful. It can be discouraging. I love the excellence sought by Opus Dei, but in this season, I seem to be growing more in humility than excellence as I repeatedly hit physical and social limitations. Part of me thinks that this is not the right season for an Opus Dei spirituality. But then I remember that St. Josemaria formed Opus Dei in the midst of the Spanish Civil War. This was his saintly answer to those turbulent and uncertain times. Looking at it in that light, the struggle becomes more meaningful but also somehow harder.

It's been a good week for catching up on my reading challenge.

Now, every time I stopped to read this book, I seemed to be in a state of exhaustion--mentally, physically; I read the last third with a splitting headache--and STILL it was vastly inspiring and enjoyable. Maybe it was because of these states that I got more out of the book. It was a comfort in times when I felt overworked, and the ultimate point of the writings in the book is to inspire one to offer all work and suffering for God. POINT TAKEN.

Scott Hahn has again opened my mind to a new world of Catholic knowledge. My mother has always loved St. Josemaria, and over the years I often found her reading The Way. But, I never developed much of an interest myself--until now. Scott Hahn has helped me realize that my mom is a smart lady--actually, no; I already knew that. He just helped me realize that my mom was right all along, and I should have taken note.

Scott Hahn is, as always, funny and well-spoken. While sometimes authors need to dumb things down to reach the readers' level, Hahn somehow manages to lift the reader up to understand what he's written. With his relevant pop culture similes, personal stories, and simply worded explanations, I never feel lost reading his work--and this was true with reading Ordinary Work, Extraordinary Grace.

This book was a comfort in a few ways. One, that every meaningless task throughout the day can take on infinite value if done well and offered for God. Two, God doesn't ask that we live a life of COMPLETE suffering to reach Heaven. So many times throughout my life I've been told, "to be a saint is to suffer." Now, this is absolutely true and I completely believe it--but it is not the full story; saints love, laugh, and enjoy the company of their friends. It's just when faced with suffering in daily life, saints embrace it and offer up their life everyday. I dunno.

After years of trying to talk myself into accepting a future of stress and personal suffering, this book has given me hope that maybe God's plan for me won't be so bad ahahahahahaha.

This book--10/10, would read again and recommend.

Very accessible reading - part primer on Opus Dei entwined with how finding members of this prelature helped Scott Hahn bridge himself over during/after his conversion to the Catholic Church. "Turn up the romance" indeed! Very readable. For all those secular contemplatives out there.

Scott Hahn discusses the spiritual pathway of Opus Dei, describing the organization's founding, its mission, and its profound influence on his life. Hahn recounts the invaluable part Opus Dei played in his conversion from Evangelical Christianity to Catholicism and explains why its teachings remain at the center of his life.

This was a very engaging and interesting book which challenges popular conceptions and beliefs about Opus Dei and reveals it as a tradition that enriches everyday work with spiritual nobility.

Ok

This book was a great read for me in developing and deepening my relationship not only with God but also with my neighbor and myself. The book focuses entirely on offering whatever one is going through/doing as a prayer to God. It’s a common mistake to think that you need to be someone or somewhere else to achieve happiness and union with God but this book breaks that and tells a beautiful story of how God meets us exactly where we are and loves us just as much as He would at any stage of our lives. This book simply makes sense and is a great read for all.