Today has been very special; being on my own has meant that I have been able to have a Good Friday devotion, which has consisted of reading this book. To be honest, I was barely able to put Jesus Freak by Sara Miles, down.
It is a collection of stories about everyday Christianity, as lived as part of the ministry of the church of St Gregory of Nissa, San Francisco. The stories are challenging, beautiful, mysterious, funny, hopeful and full of living faith.
It’s hard to do justice to such a book, which is part biography, part theology and part narrative. It is compelling in its frankness and it pulls no punches about Christianity and faith, inclusiveness and the true cost of forgiveness. To coin a term, it is liberation theology. Life as it is in the raw.
If you get a chance to read it I would love to know what your thoughts are – particularly in relation to the ideas of Jesus being the one who wants to revolutionise society, family and church through us, by taking Jesus at his word. Go feed, go heal and go and forgive.
I haven’t read the book, but I am aware of ‘Liberation Theology’ having read many books on the subject at one point in my life. I attended a gathering of ex-Catholics including priests and nuns. They were working to help the people of Haiti rebuild after the earthquake and the people of Salvador recover from war. As long as their mission is peaceful, I am with them. However, a classmate of mine was murdered in Central America by the rebel warriors were inspired by this left-wing theology. My friend had become a nun, and was targeted for her cionservative, mainstream beliefs. You might have read about her and the other four nuns. All five were executed and made the International news. Dianne
I think I will give this book a try. As you may have guessed, I am one of your readers (and fans) who is not a believer. I do not think I will ever become a believer. One of my biggest problems with believing is the sureness of those that believe that they know the truth. As I listened to the St Matthew Passion last evening (my Good Friday experience) I felt the sadness and the mystery of how such a thing as that piece of music could have been created. The final chord seemed to penetrate something physical in my body. Who can doubt that there is suffering — and joy — in the world? How can creatures such as us be certain of anything more? In a way the idea of knowing all is not very appealing. I like the mystery and the questions better.
Another must read to add to my list!