By Michael Kennedy, S.J. Crossroad (New York, 2004). 141 pp., including enclosed CD, $19.95.

"Experiencing Jesus: 10 Meditations for a Changed Life" follows the widely sought method of Gospel contemplation taught by Jesuit Father Michael Kennedy and rooted in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Father Kennedy serves as pastor of Dolores Mission Church in Boyle Heights, east of downtown L.A.

In his most recent book Father Kennedy keeps bringing the Gospels to life by selecting passages, introducing a theme from each passage and providing a question to bring Jesus' message to the reader. Father Kennedy also has written colorful meditations to activate the reader's imagination and bring Jesus present to the moment. The meditations are written in a unique style combining prose and poetry to create rhythm and allow for the movements of the heart.

The book includes an audio CD narrated by Martin Sheen and Janne Shirley. The voices of Sheen and Shirley are accompanied by beautiful guitar and violin music to provide a calm soothing environment for prayer and meditation.

The audio CD is an incredible tool for contemplative prayer and meditation. I suggest using the repeat function on the CD player to listen to a passage several times. Find a quiet place, close your eyes, focus on your breathing, open your heart to the voices of Sheen and Shirley and allow your imagination to place you with Jesus in the passage. By doing so, users of the book may insert themselves into the passage to journey with Christ and his disciples to feel Jesus' joys and sorrows and relate them to their own life.

I use the book frequently for prayer preparation as well as for meditation and prayer and have bought many gift copies as well. For prayer preparation I use the table of contents in the book to identify a theme. Once selected, I contemplate the theme's question to invite Jesus into my life. The prose and poetry in the text of the meditation inspire me to activate my senses and use my imagination as part of my prayer. Using the CD in the method described above, I am able to achieve meaning and satisfying prayer.

A meditation I use often to feel the love of God is "Unconditional Love" adapted from Mark 2:23-28. In this passage, we find Jesus relaxing with his followers after a week of hard work and little rest. While reflecting on the difficult week, we are shown God's love through Jesus' compassion. We desire to be closer to him. To "…experience the love of one greater. A presence so deep, so powerful; to be loved by your God. Not just to know it but to feel it."

"Experiencing Jesus" is an avenue for a deeper relationship with God.

The Reviewer: Dante Puccinelli is a senior financial advisor for a large investment firm. He is a parishioner at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena with his wife and three daughters.