The Gift of Peace by Joseph Cardinal Bernardin is a little book. It is a memoir of his last three years of life. I thought this book would be an archaic meditation that would go over my head. I approached it as a daily meditative penitential sacrifice. 50 pages later, I couldn't put it down. I almost read it all in one sitting.
Cardinal Bernardin honestly brings the reader through his worst times--the three last years of his life. He explains how he started out to study to be a medical doctor but heeded the call to be a priest. He always was a prayerful man and tried to do his best. Then he was hit with an accusation. Thankfully, the person recanted. Then he was hit with a cancer diagnosis. He thought he was cured, but cancer struck again. The cancer won.
Throughout these ideals, Bernardin prays. He accepts. He makes the best of it.
I enjoyed the little personal asides. The Cardinal enjoyed hand writing notes and personally answering letters. He tried his best to respond to everyone, by phone, personal visit, or writing. He even wrote the title, and ended the book with, "Peace and love." This is how he lived--with peace and love.
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