The Mystery of Christ: The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience [Paperback]

This book reads well cover-to-cover but is also an excellent reference book. It was as the later that I purchased my copy having read a borrowed copy from a friend some months before.
If everyone has significant books in their lives that can be counted on the fingers of one hand this is book number two for me. Three books to go if you get my drift.
I was familiar with the author and was intrigued by the sub title "The Liturgy as Spiritual Experience" So took time to read it (annual leave). This is not heavy but does call for a contemplative read. I stopped and started a lot and considered little else at the time.
Fr Thomas Keating is a man of prayer. I say this to qualify his writing and to encourage you to consider everything he writes in this book. There are no redundant words or phrases, no vague examples, no blurred illustrations, no humour for humour sake (though there is humour) and no sense Fr Keating is trying to prove anything here. It was very much my experience Fr Keating was kindly and carefully communicating for the sake of the reader. This is where I honestly laughed out loud. To speak of the profoundest things with such ordinary illustrations by way of explanation in such common language was delicious. Like a stand up comedian without the obscenities or swearing. I loved it.
The book is simply laid out with a logical schematic and the minimum of introduction. The introduction is excellent. To cover the territory it does so simply in 10 pages are phenomenal and very much worth reading and rereading. The Introduction alone will convince you of Fr Keating's efficiency and proficiency as a writer.
The Book may presume a degree of knowledge and experience from the reader of Catholicism, Liturgy and contemplative prayer. As a 51 year old, Happily practising Catholic, this is hard to tell as this is already familiar territory for me but I do think it has great value far beyond any specific readership while of immeasurable value to any Happy Catholic.
In my opinion, essential Catholic reading.
The revelation for me was Fr Keating's reflections on the Liturgical year. Wow! The reading was a Spiritual experience in its self. How could I have lived through 51 of these and missed so much?
Like growing up with a sibling who insisted they always be seen in full costume and makeup only to suddenly change their minds. Shocking though oddly familiar.
This book has helped me find a new definition for the Terrors of Hell. One long Liturgy without Spiritual experience. Thankfully this is not my experience and if it is not yours this book will go a long way in explaining what has been happening to us. For this I shall be eternally grateful to Fr Keating and his excellent book. I highly recommend it.
Finally I would suggest the use of this book as a reference as one moves through the different seasons of the Liturgical year. I have just done this for the first time with the current season and am having the best Advent, Christmas and Epiphany of my life. At last I get it.