The Liturgical Year

 The Ancient Practices Series

 By Joan Chittister
 Published by Thomas Nelson
 3 out of 5 bookmarks 

The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister is a good introduction to the theology and history of the liturgical year and the basic cycle which it follows. She begins the book with a teleological defense of the liturgical calendar and observes that while most Christians religiously follow the civic calendar, very few afford themselves the pleasure of permitting their souls to dance to the rhythmic ebb and flow of  Christ’s  life on earth.

While I appreciate the basic premise of the book (that the life lived according to the rhythms of the liturgy is a life lived in harmony with the life of Christ) I found that the author’s discordant writing style a bit hostile to the rhythmic cycle which she described.  At times, I wanted to abandon myself to the rythm of  Christ’s life, but was simply unable to put the choppy writing style and disconnected thoughts to rest. Perhaps this is a problem unique to my own love of the poetic. I certainly don’t think that it should keep one from reading the book for themselves.

In the end, I gave this book three out of five bookmarks. The Liturgical Year is certainly worth reading and despite my personal bias against the author’s writing style, I found the book informative and the author to be well acquainted with the topic.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year ‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’ And he replied, ‘Go  into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God For that shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!’ So I went forth and finding the Hand of God Trod gladly into the night He led me towards the hills And the breaking of day in the lone east. So heart be still! What need our human life to … Read More

via Teleia Philia

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,  and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions,  and my sin is ever before me . . .”  (Psalm 51.3) Almighty maker of heaven and earth into whose hands all power has been given. You who stoop to my weakness and  offer your cleansing. Cleanse not only my feet, but also my hands and head. In my self-sufficiency I foolishly deny your bidding to wash me And in my self-righteousness, I join with the one … Read More

via Teleia Philia