Working in the Diocesan Vocation Office, I keep my eyes open for books about discernment. So when I saw the Institute of Carmelite Studies advertising a book entitled, Temptation and Discernment, I ordered it. What I found was both a disappointment and a joy. It was a disappointment insofar as the book offered nothing in terms of vocational discernment. It was a joy insofar as it proved to be some of the most captivating spiritual writing I have ever read.

Segundo Galilea is a priest of the Archdiocese of Santiago, Chile. He has served as a pastor in Santiago and worked for many years in the area of pastoral renewal. Galilea has authored several books on evangelization and spirituality.

Grounding himself in the thought of Ignatius of Loyola and John of the Cross, Galilea offers brief, even pithy chapters, seldom more than two pages, that are sharp, practical and insightful. Acknowledging that temptation is part of any human as well as Christian life, Galilea observes that those with a mature spirituality generally resist temptation to intentional evil but instead face the temptations of mediocrity, tepidity and stagnation. Often these evils can appear as good and hence the need for greater discernment. After initially reflecting on discernment as a type of salve applied to the eyes so that we might see, Galilea divides the book up into two sections regarding ministry and prayer. Each concise chapter concerns itself with a "demon" of ministry or of prayer.

Galilea first describes sixteen demons of prayer that include activism, sectarianism, entrenchment, pastoral envy and losing a sense of humor. In his analysis Galilea shares some succinct but sharp wisdom.

Commenting on the demon of messianism and setting oneself up as the center of all pastoral activity, he simply states, "Distrust of collaborators in ministry...reflects a distrust in God." Warning against the discouragement that accompanies activism, he notes, "Impatience and discouragement are twins." Concerning ministers who have given into the demon of entrenchment he observes, "Tacitly they have made a pact with their imperfections and mediocrity".

The second section lists twenty-one demons of prayer ranging from discouragement and neglecting one's lifestyle to putting quantity above quality and not putting sensations and feelings in their proper place. He warns against secularizing Christian prayer insisting that this demon, "...concludes by putting all prayer under suspicion." Another chapter is entitled, "Neglecting the Humanity of Christ. Here he maintains that "...spiritual decadence and devotion coincide with different forms of false `mysticism' which minimize the relationship with the historical Jesus and as a consequence with church's mediation." Yet another chapter concerns separating prayer from concern for others. Galilea distinguishes between personal prayer and individualistic prayer insisting that the latter is incompatible with Christianity. Prayer, he argues, "...always has a dimension of apostolic solidarity." Galilea's foundational notion of image of prayer is being clothed in Christ and participating in his life.

The chapters on discernment and ministry would be helpful to all involved in church work and even those involved in any type of ongoing service. The reflections on prayer would well serve all those seeking any type of intentional spiritual life. Though small, this book carries a lot of punch and is excellent not only for personal reading but for book clubs and group discussions. The brevity of this book both as a whole and in its chapters makes it ideal for the busy and those unable to give much time to spiritual reading. It is well written, well translated and deserves a place on the shelf with the great spiritual authors.