To Stand on the Rock: Meditations on Black Catholic IdentityThis powerful and lyrical work takes its theme from the pastoral letter of the Black Catholic bishops of the United States which spoke of the challenge of being "authentically Black and truly Catholic." To Stand on the Rock tells us to "sit awhile in contemplation of the truths hidden behind some all-too-familiar words and signs, to linger awhile in the garden of our imagination and try to see with the eyes of faith and art how the old ones ... took a twisted version of Christianity and re-twisted it into a culture of liberation, transcendence, creativity and wholeness." Brown begins by reflecting on the religion and identity of those Africans who were brought to these shores in bondage: this is the original source in the quest for what it means to be "authentically Black." He explores the style of Christianity that was forged through the sufferings of slavery and reflects on the struggle of Black Catholics to claim their own style of faith and spirituality. Blending social history, theology, poetry, literature, and incantatory personal narrative, To Stand on the Rock is an inspiring and passionate tribute to the wisdom and faith of "the old ones" and their gifts to "all God's children" today. |
Contents
INTRODUCTION | 1 |
Prelude | 9 |
Chapter | 15 |
First Meditation | 38 |
Chapter | 49 |
Second Meditation | 71 |
Chapter Three | 91 |
Interlude | 115 |
Chapter Five | 157 |
FINAL MEDITATION | 194 |
INDEX | 212 |
Copyright | |
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To Stand on the Rock: Meditations on Black Catholic Identity Joseph A. Brown SJ Limited preview - 2011 |