This thin volume, written by the late great Swiss Catholic Theologian, von Balthasar, discusses Christian Meditiation (hence, the title). By this, von Balthasar doesn't mean extended silent prayer, centering prayer, days of solitude, etc. Instead, this is Word-centered meditation, where one encounters Triune God through the pages of scripture.

This book is short but difficult to read, and I am not sure I would recommend it to anyone who doesn't at least have a sense of where Balthasar is writing from. It explicates a theological and Christological reading of scripture informed by a meditative approach given to Balthasar by his early Jesuit instruction. It is therefore peppered with references to the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

I really liked this book and found myself reading passages slowly and going back and rereading them to make sure I got them. Others of Balthasar's shorter works, do not seem this dense to me. What I particularly appreciated was that although Balthasar's focus was on what we call 'Scriptural meditation,' he was clear that the focus was not the written word. Instead, he advocated for a meditative practice which is centered on an encounter with Christ in the text. This meant he wasn't antagonistic to other meditative practices, but he does find the spiritual exegesis and Ignatian approaches most helpful in focusing on the Christological character of the Bible.

The final chapter on Union, is divided into " the Marian Way," "the Ecclesial Way" and "The Paths to the World." Certainly as a protestant I adjust some of what Balthasar has to say here, but I found it a helpful approach to looking for Christ in our personal adoration of him (the Marian way), hearing him through the liturgy with the church (ecclesial way), and being attentive to the Mission of the Triune God and where Jesus is speaking in the world (Paths to the World). Perhaps a good way to think of it is the personal, communal and missional. These are dimensions which I want my little rule to lead me into.

Even so, come Lord Jesus. ( )