Joyce Rupp has written more than thirty spiritual books, several of which have won Catholic Press Association awards; her writing is very accessible and inspiring. Her new Lenten daily reflection book is a great tool for individual or group reflection. The book begins with Ash Wednesday and ends with Easter Sunday and focuses on the qualities of Jesus throughout his life. Each day includes a very short piece from Scripture, a reflection that relates the Scripture passage to today’s world, and then a beautiful prayer pertaining to the reflection. An intention or act that will help readers grow personally and spiritually completes each day. Rupp states in the book’s introduction that her goal is to help Christians achieve the most difficult task of being a living exemplar of Jesus and his virtues. This book offers readers some guidance to carry out that task.

Beautiful, loved it. I read this daily for each day of Lent. The questions for reflection were perfect to take me deeper into the daily readings and prayer.

When we read the Gospels attentively, we understand who Jesus is and how he lived his sinless life. Joyce Rupp writes, “The traits of Jesus’s divinity reside within his human existence." We can look to Jesus to learn how to live a grace-filled life. Rupp guides us to do that in Jesus, Friend of My Soul. Each day during Lent an inspiring attribute from the teachings of Jesus is presented with an opening verse from the Bible about that attribute and ending with a beautiful and heartfelt prayer. In the introduction of the book, Rupp gives the readers reflection questions that can be discussed in a group or individually each week of Lent. This is a wonderful contemplative book for the season of Lent.

This reader for Lent can be used alone or in a small group. There are questions at the end of the book to encourage you.
The book encourages Christians to become more like Christ with attributes such as One who promotes Justice and One who chooses Wisely.
Quick to read but with a challenge for each day such as 'I make decisions that you come from my best self'.
I was given this book by Netgalley and the publisher. This is my voluntary and impartial review.