February 1, 2008Books Can SpeakHere's what I read this morning in Thomas Merton's book Thoughts in Solitude (New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1958): Reading ought to be an act of homage to the God of all truth. We open our hearts to words that reflect the reality He has created or the greater Reality which He is. . . . As an editor, I find this very inspiring. It reminds me of why I care about books of spirituality. There are many writers that can "hold us captive" but tell us nothing. And while such writing can beautiful, memorable and evocative, it doesn't lead to human growth. Indeed it can leave us with the sense of unrest described here. But how wonderful to be reminded of our calling to read books that draw us into God's presence. Posted by Cindy Bunch
at February 1, 2008 7:23 AM
Ah, but is not perplexity also a road to growth? To say that the books that fill you with light and certainty are the right ones is to ignore the wisdom that can be contained in a truly challenging book that makes you face up to something you didn't want to know and don't quite know how to answer, yet. In the noise of the city is suffering and pain and difficult choices which we ought not to ignore but rather try to learn from. Comment by: Lynet at February 9, 2008 5:04 PMSome books draw us into His presence---so true. Those are books that I like to read over and over again. But some books help me to understand other humans and their suffering. These help to fill me with thankfulness that I know the God of all Comfort. It also causes me to be more patient with others and helps me to listen more carefully to the burdens of others. Comment by: nannykim at February 9, 2008 10:23 PMGreat comments! Yes, sometimes we need the challenges of different perspectives. It's a balancing act. For myself, I am inspired by the calling to make the type of book Merton describes. That's why I found his statements so meaningful. However, I would never call for an isolationism of the sort that shuts out the world. I believe we are called to live in the world. Comment by: Cindy Bunch at February 15, 2008 2:52 PMComments are closed for this entry. |
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