Comments on: Challenges

By: Emerging grace

Emerging grace — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 20:07:11 +0000

[...] Wow! I’ve just finished watching a 90-minute webcast organised by the Centre for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico, in which Fr Richard Rohr discussed Emerging Christianity. (Many of you know I’m a big fan of Rohr, a Franciscan priest, and have quoted him several times in this blog, most extensively here.) [...]

By: Sunday Collection: Surrender

Sunday Collection: Surrender — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 13:34:00 +0000

[...] theme of this week’s daily meditations from Richard Rohr has been the transformation and absorption of evil. On Wednesday of this week, his question was: [...]

By: lucy

lucy — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 22:42:58 +0000

thank you for this thoughtful post. i, too, am drawn to the challenge toward both the inner and outer discovery. i have stayed in those “safe” places for so long in my life only to find they are not really safe at all. think maybe i’ll go over and check out the daily e-mails rather than fly my way into another new book.

i love hearing what’s on your beautiful mind!!! xoxoxox

By: Tess

Tess — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 20:28:30 +0000

Thank you all for these comments. Rohr has done some writing on the Enneagram system I speak about elsewhere on this blog, and his books on that were my first introduction to him. I like his style of writing and thinking.

He now does a lot of retreat work with men, focusing on male spirituality.

When I read the Wikipedia link I’ve used in my post, I noticed that you can get daily emails from his website, so I signed up.

Barbara, today’s is wonderful synergy with what you’ve put above. His question in the email is “How can gazing upon the crucified God transform us?” and his answer, in part, is:

“Today this is perhaps what we would call “grief work,” holding the mystery of pain and looking right at it and learning deeply from it, which normally leads to an uncanny and newfound compassion and understanding. The hospice movement and the exponential growth in bereavement ministries throughout many of the churches are showing this to be true, but look how long it has taken us to rediscover such wisdom.

I believe we are invited to gaze upon the image of the crucified to soften our hearts toward God, and to know that God’s heart has always been softened toward us, even and most especially in our suffering. This softens us toward ourselves and all others who suffer.”

By: Barbara

Barbara — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 18:58:18 +0000

Excellent quotes, Tess. I may not hold out much longer buying this book either. Lots to ponder here. The themes of that liminal, in-between space — I once used the analogy I picked up somewhere of Christ on the cross, hanging between earth and sky and Rphr’s take on wisdom both resonate strongly with me. No wonder you are savouring this book slowly.

By: HeyJules

HeyJules — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:11:05 +0000

Oh I so have to get this book!

By: yolanda

yolanda — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:06:57 +0000

Thanks for sharing this . I had not heard of him before and now must check him out. Have a lovely weekend.

By: Abbey of the Arts

Abbey of the Arts — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 23:05:21 +0000

Wow Tess, I loved both of these quotes, I love Rohr’s writing and it makes me want to go out and (dare I say it?) buy this book. But for now I am going to ponder these jewels. Thanks so much for sharing them and I am glad you are back safely!