Lamentations: From New York to Kabul and BeyondOn September 11, 2001 Daniel Berrigan sat at his desk in upper Manhattan writing a commentary on the Book of Genesis. As he explored the goodness of God's creation, the terrible events of that day stopped him cold. With countless others, Berrigan--the tireless and often controversial peace activist--wondered how best to respond, articulate profound grief, and shape a response. In the midst of working with those ministering to rescue workers and families of the missing or dead, leading prayer vigils, and organizing protests against military retaliation, Father Berrigan looked to Lamentations for wisdom and insight. This book is the result of long, intense hours spend connecting that ancient text with the modern world. In line with his critically acclaimed biblical commentaries, Berrigan uses the lens of Lamentations to explore the causes and repercussions of the events of September 11 and beyond. Here he asks, Where do we turn when the world around us seems to be inextricably enmeshed in violent conflict? How do we cry out for justice? Where do we find faith and hope to heal the immense human suffering that surrounds us? Written in a style that captures the poetry and power of Lamentations, Berrigan cries out for peace in a militaristic world, calls for compassion instead of retribution, gives voice to those caught in the midst of war and strife, and names the evil in the world while lamenting the status quo. Art by Robert McGovern illuminates the suffering of war and the hope of the faithful. |
Contents
Lonely widowed city of slaves 1118 | 7 |
O give heed to my groaning 119217 | 29 |
The rod of Gods anger My fill of wormwood 218345 | 59 |
You came to my aid and You said have no fear 346419 | 85 |
To you also shall the cup be passed 420522 | 111 |
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Afghanistan American amid anger Assyrians awful Babylon become bishops blood bombs cast catastrophe Catholic chapter chariots Church confession crime DANIEL BERRIGAN Dare dark daughter Zion death earth Ebed-melech Edom Edomites enemy exile eyes Ezekiel faith fall foes friends gate glory God's gold gospel grief groan hand heart heaven holy honored hope human idolatry imperial innocent International Criminal Court irony Isaiah Jeremiah Jerusalem judgment justice Kabul killing king Lamentations land lives loss memory mercy midrash mood mother mourn mourner nations night once orphans and strangers Osama bin Laden ourselves pity plight poet prayer priests prisoners prophets refugees rubble ruin Samaria sanctuary silence sins slaves Solomon soul speak stand story strophe suffering summoned sure Taliban Tarshish tears Temple threnody tion torah truth turned vengeance verse victims voice warmaking warrior widows and orphans wilderness women words World Trade Center wrath
Popular passages
Page xiii - What a pity that Bilbo did not stab that vile creature, when he had a chance!' 'Pity? It was Pity that stayed his hand. Pity, and Mercy: not to strike without need. And he has been well rewarded, Frodo. Be sure that he took so little hurt from the evil, and escaped in the end, because he began his ownership of the Ring so. With Pity.
Page xiv - I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.