THE PASSION AND THE CROSS

Author: Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI. PB, 112 pages. Ron Rolheiser wades into the Friday Sunday mystery of faith with courage and honesty. He brings to his exposition his deep spirituality and that of the church. He lines out that spirituality with an acute pastoral sensibility. But at bottom his book is a witness to the transformative, scandalous truth of the Gospel whereby we are saved in the drama of God s love. Rolheiser is unflinching in his grasp of the hard, wondrous reality of God s presence in the person of Christ. Readers will find here compelling testimony to the recurring power of Easter in the daily living of our lives. Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary One of the greatest Christian spiritual writers of our age turns his gaze toward the mystery of suffering and the meaning of the cross. This profound and compassionate spiritual meditation will be of inestimable use to anyone who has ever suffered or struggled in life which is to say, everyone. James Martin, S.J., author, "Jesus: A Pilgrimage" From this most trusted spiritual guide, one is invited to plumb the depths of mystery, entering into life s most challenging questions about suffering, death, life, hope, faith, and ultimate meaning. The answers lie in the cross. And while its secret cannot be totally comprehended, one learns from Rolheiser how it can be lived with both head and heart. Barbara E. Reid, O.P, vice president and academic dean, professor of New Testament studies, Catholic Theological Union If you think this is a predictable and usual commentary on the passion accounts of Jesus, be ready for a very grateful surprise! Here you will find years of reflection, prayer, and a life in deep union with the mystery of death, suffering, and the resurrection that comes with it. The course of Jesus s journey is the course of fulfilled humanity, and it seems to surely be the course of Rolheiser s journey. Richard Rohr, O.F.M., author, "Eager to Love" With his elegant prose and thought provoking imagery, Rolheiser brilliantly explores the mystery at the heart of the Christian faith. The Passion and the Cross challenges readers to enter more deeply into questions of faith, life, love, and suffering, and then offers the spiritual tools needed for the journey. Kerry Weber, managing editor, "America," author, "Mercy in the City""